There is no other arts festival in the world like the BBC Proms. For eight weeks London's Royal Albert Hall becomes a temple of great music. As many as 6000 people a night gather to hear celebrated conductors, legendary soloists, thrilling new talent, and the worlds most famous orchestras. And it's not exclusively classical; jazz, world music and musicals make the mix even richer.
Henry Wood founded the Proms in 1895. His ambition was to make classical music more egalitarian, less stuffy. Wood conducted every night when the series started at the Queens Hall on London's Regent Street. When the building was bombed in the Blitz in 1941, it looked as if the Proms might be homeless — but it soon took up residence at the Royal Albert Hall where it's been ever since.
The title 'Proms' comes from Wood's idea that people should be able stand, even move around, or promenade, during performances. Nowadays people don't go for a stroll during the music, but several thousand stand at every concert, right in front of the performers, the best space in the hall. And they pay the least. Henry Wood was determined ticket prices should be low; in 1895 it cost just a shilling, or 5p to Prom; now it's only £5, and can be as little as £2.25 a concert if you buy a season ticket.
This year starts with a bang with a spectacular opening weekend. On consecutive nights we'll be hosting two of the biggest names in opera. Bryn Terfel stars as Hans Sachs in Wagner's epic Die Meistersinger on 17th July, and then the next night Placido Domingo leads the cast of the Royal Opera's production of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra. The seats have sold out — but the great thing about the Proms is that you can just turn up and get a ticket on the day if you don't mind standing. And you'll be very close to Messrs Terfel and Domingo. Paul Lewis, the terrific young English pianist, plays all the Tchaikovsky piano concertos in a series of concerts, and in what is the 150th anniversary of Mahler's birth there are performances of six of his symphonies. Then there is an 80th birthday gala for composer Stephen Sondheim on July 31st. One not to miss.
This year we have two Last Nights. On 5th September we are recreating the Last Night as it was a century ago — a free concert filled with popular works of the day. I'm going to be introducing it, possibly in Edwardian dress. Then less than week later, on 11th September, we are back for the real thing. The last night always starts seriously — this year there's a new work from English composer Jonathan Dove, and the glamorous American soprano Renée Fleming will sing Strauss. Then after the interval out come the flags and the horns, and it turns into a great musical party. But the performance is still A1, and the audience will hush to appreciate the musicians work. There's a real end-of-term feeling; as prommers prepare to say farewell to their friends for another year. It should be experienced by everyone at least once in their lives.
Everyone always wants to know how they can get to the Last Night. It's a hot ticket. There are two ballots — one you can enter if you've been to five other Proms in the season, another that's open to everyone. It's also worth regularly checking on the online website for returns. Or you can just turn up and take your chances in the Proms queue. Some people camp out overnight, but even if you turn up early afternoon you may still be lucky. And really the arena is the place to be for the Last Night.
But whichever night you go, be prepared to be welcomed with open arms into what is surely the most exciting musical festival in the world. Dress down. The Royal Albert Hall can get a little warm in the high summer, so it's a good excuse to prove how shorts can be smart. And take a bottle of water — but don't open it noisily during the music or you'll be the recipient of hard stares. Same if you leave your mobile on. The Proms audience is first and foremost there for the music — but it's also incredibly friendly. And very international; expect to hear dozens of languages being spoken in the foyers. You'll enjoy the very best music making — and may well find yourself making plans to be back in London for a little more time during the 2011 season. Have fun.
Petroc Trelawny presents the Proms on BBC Radio and Television. To find out more visit bbc.co.uk/proms
