BBC Proms

Elizabeth Watts soprano Renata Pokupic mezzo-soprano James Gilchrist tenor Darren Jeffery bass-baritone BBC Singers Manchester Camerata Douglas Boyd conductor

Haydn’s Seven Last Words – ‘seven sonatas with an introduction and a concluding earthquake’ – were commissioned by Cadiz Cathedral for performance on Good Friday 1786. Haydn regarded these orchestral meditations upon Christ’s Crucifixion as among his most successful works; he quickly arranged the music for piano and string quartet, and later adapted it as a cantata just before starting work on The Creation.

Two centuries later, James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words was commissioned by BBC Television and shown in nightly instalments during Holy Week 1994. Revived to mark the composer’s 50th birthday, this powerfully dramatic cantata is underscored by echoes of plainsong, Bach chorales and traditional Scottish laments.

Ticket Prices £10-15 or Prom for £5 Booking Information ADVANCE BOOKING By post and online – Monday 20th April – Monday 18th MayTo take advantage of the Advance Booking Period – and enjoy your best chance of securing the seats you want – you must use the official Advance Booking Form in the Proms Guide or this Online Ticket Request system. Note that all postal, and online bookings received before Monday 20th April will be treated as if they had arrived on that date. Postal address: BBC Proms, Box Office, Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 2AP**BOOKING FEE**Please note all bookings made via post, or online are subject to a £2.75 transaction fee.

GENERAL BOOKING Opens Tuesday 26 MayIn person, by phone or online – and bookings received after Monday 18th May will be treated as general bookings, and dealt with from Tuesday 26th MayThe Box Office is located at Door 12 of the Royal Albert Hall and is open 9.00am–9.00pm daily. Note that no booking fee applies to tickets bought in person at the Hall.Telephone: 0845 401 5040