Here's your essential lowdown on the 2024 First Night of the Proms - including repertoire, performers, and how to watch and listen.
When is the 2024 First Night of the Proms?
This year’s First Night of the Proms takes place on Friday 19 July 2024 at The Royal Albert Hall. The concert is scheduled to begin at 6.30pm. It will be broadcast live on both BBC Two and BBC Radio 3.
Who is conducting the 2024 First Night of the Proms?
This year's Proms opener will be conducted by Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan. Born on 18 November 1986, Chan is currently chief conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, at the age of 28, she was the first female conductor to win the Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition. She then became assistant conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, from 2015–2016.
Chan is the youngest ever chef conductor of the Antwerp Symphony, as well as its very first female chief conductor. She will step down from that role at the end of the 2023/24 concert season.
What is the programme for the 2024 First Night of the Proms?
For the 2024 First Night of the Proms, Chan will conduct the BBC Symphony Orchestra in performances of Beethoven's dramatic, heaven-storming Symphony No. 5 in C minor and the Overture to Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, in an arrangement by the late Australian conductor Sir Charles Mackerras.
They are joined by the BBC Singers and soprano Sophie Bevan for Bruckner's Psalm 150. The BBC Symphony Chorus will present the world premiere of Hallelujah Sim, a new work by Anglo-Japanese composer Ben Nobuto. And pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason (one of the prodigiously talented Kanneh-Mason family) will join Elim Chan and the BBC SO for a performance of Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto.
2024 First Night of the Proms performers
The lineup of performers includes soprano Sophie Bevan and pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. They're joined by the BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, and BBC Symphony Orchestra; and conductor Elim Chan.
How can I watch the 2024 First Night of the Proms?
The First Night of the Proms will be broadcast live to watch on BBC Two and to listen to on BBC Radio 3.
If you want to attend the Proms in person, tickets are available now from the Proms website.
Will it be available on BBC iPlayer?
Yes, the concert will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer until the autumn.
Some other questions you might have: what have been the best First Night of the Proms from history? We pick out some of our favourites. And why are the Proms called the Proms? We explain the history behind the term and how the BBC Proms came to be. Lastly, that all-important question: is there a dress code for the BBC Proms?
Top pic: Chris Christodoulou