Prom 1: First Night of the Proms

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London The First Night of the 2014 BBC Proms. Sir Andrew Davis conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, a large chorus and distinguished soloists in Elgar's biblical oratorio The Kingdom.

Presented by Petroc Trelawny.

Elgar: The Kingdom

Blessed Virgin ..... Erin Wall (soprano)
Mary Magdalene ..... Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano)
St John ..... Andrew Staples (tenor)
St Peter ..... Christopher Purves (baritone)
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis (conductor)

The largest classical music festival in the world, the BBC Proms also boasts one of the mightiest venues. The Royal Albert Hall is a monument to the same Victorian pomp and splendour that swells through Edward Elgar's music. What better way to open this season than with the composer's biblical oratorio The Kingdom - the beautiful 'slow movement' of a musical triptych that started with The Apostles, but that would remain unfinished at Elgar's death.

Celebrated Elgarian and Proms favourite Sir Andrew Davis, a Conductor Laureate of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, returns in his 70th-birthday year, joined by a distinguished cast of soloists.
Producer Emma Bloxham,Ann McKay

Presenter Petroc Trelawny.