The Proms 2012: the highlights

Billed as the “world’s greatest classical music festival”, this month sees the start of the Proms season and another summer of the best classical music.

From a sprawling schedule of symphonies and concertos, to literary talks, workshops and open participation events, the Proms bring together a veritable feast of the finest in classical music performance, exploration and appreciation.

While the Proms are held across the capital, major headline performances take in prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall and the Royal College of Music.

The famous Last Night of the Proms celebrations in Hyde Park will see pop superstar Kylie head a spectacular line-up including English tenor Alfie Boe, operatic pop group Il Divo and the London Community Gospel Choir, with Proms in the Park favourites the BBC Concert Orchestra.

To launch our classical music critic’s pick of the best from this year’s Proms season