BBC Proms · Season 47 · Episode 1

First Night of the Proms

Friday, July 16

Elektra The BBC Promenade Concerts season opens with a performance of Richard Strauss 's dramatic one-act opera live from the Royal Albert Hall in London. Andrew Davis , Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducts this horrific story of obsession, murder and revenge in ancient Greece. Davis says: "The Proms always end with Land of Hope and Glory, but this year we begin by entering a land of despair and gore through Richard Strauss 's inimitable adaptation of Greek tragedy. One hundred continuous minutes of the composer at his most powerful - sung by an exceptionally strong cast - should ensure a chilling and thrilling start to this great festival." Introduced by James Naughtie.