The BBC Proms has unveiled its programme for this summer’s season. The announcement confirms details of the already-anticipated Ring Cycle from Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin, with soloists including Nina Stemme and Bryn Terfel. Other events marking the 200th anniversary of Wagner’s birth include Tristan and Isolde with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Semyon Bychkov, Tannhäuser with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Donald Runnicles, and Parsifal with the Hallé under Sir Mark Elder.

Marin Alsop will conduct the Last Night, becoming the first female conductor to do so. Those joining her for the evening will include mezzo Joyce DiDonato – like Alsop, a former Gramophone Artist of the Year – and violinist Nigel Kennedy, who will also have appeared earlier in the season performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the work with which he achieved international renown in 1989.

Verdi, Britten and Lutosławski – composers whose anniversaries are also being marked this year – will also be explored during the 92-concert season. An unlikely institution to find itself becoming a regular Proms fixture is Doctor Who, whose 50 year anniversary is being marked. Equally popular in recent years has proven to be John Wilson and his exploration of film score music – back for an evening of Hollywood music. New initiatives this year include the first Prom dedicated to Gospel music, an Urban Classic Prom and a Prom from radio station 6 Music.

New commissions this year include works from composers Thomas Adès, Julian Anderson, Diana Burrell, Anna Clyne, Edward Cowie, Tansy Davies, David Matthews, John McCabe and John Woolwich. 

The season is once again being widely broadcast for those unable to get along to London's Royal Albert Hall. Television channels BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four will carry a number of concerts while BBC Radio 3 will, as per usual, broadcast all of them (the concerts will then remain on the BBC iPlayer for seven days). Chamber Proms held at Cadogan Hall will be filmed for the BBC website.  

According to Roger Wright, director of BBC Proms and Controller BBC Radio 3, 'From Wagner's Ring Cycle to a celebration of urban music, it is a festival where there is something for everyone to enjoy.'

The proms begins on July 12, running until September 7. Tickets are on sale from May 11. Click for details.