BBC Proms 2021

It's the definition of the summer: live concerts to an in-person audience are on the cards as the BBC Proms, the biggest music festival in the world, confirms its 2021 plans.

And it wouldn't be the Prom without the Prommers, still at the heart of the music-making, even if the tightly-packed crowds of previous years will not be in evidence this year.

Expect to hear concerts by all the top London orchestras and the BBC's own multi-talented orchestras and ensembles, as well as world-class soloists. Many of these are London-based, and will be on hand to appear as planned.

Pianist Stephen Hough is a Proms favourite. Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke

The 150th anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall, for many years the home of the Proms, is sure to be marked. So too, a number of anniversaries celebrating the lives of great composers. Last year's interrupted homage to Beethoven is likely to be revisited. And there will music from across all cultures, breaking down the artificial barriers between classical, jazz and other genres.

Rising stars such as Isata Kanneh-Mason will be given a huge welcome as well as Proms favourite artists such as pianist Stephen Hough. A Glyndebourne opera is often sung at the Proms, a chance to hear world-class singing on the doorstep while London's own opera companies prepare for their autumn seasons.

Expect too another astonishing performance from memory of a key work in the repertoire by Aurora Orchestra. It's like hearing the piece for the very first time. And maybe you will be hearing it for the first time. The Proms is the most cheerful and atmospheric place to start a love affair with classical music, and it will be great to have the festival back in full swing.

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All concerts are also broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and some on BBC Television. Details of booking and programmes are to be announced