Basel Proms: More Than Just a Classical Concert
On Saturday 21 November, 2026, Basel Proms brings the spirit of big voices, live music and collective energy to the historic Musiksaal at Stadtcasino Basel.
If you were in Basel during Eurovision, you may already have encountered Basel Proms without even realizing it. The Basel Proms Chorus was right at the heart of SING! BASEL, the city-wide celebration of singing, culminating in a spectacular performance of ABBA's Waterloo alongside 36,000 fans at St. Jakob-Park.
What to Expect
Expect a professional orchestra, 100+ singers, international soloists, famous melodies, flags from around the world being waved by an audience encouraged to sing, clap, cheer and join in. And no, you don't need to know your Puccini from your Prokofiev. Never been to a classical concert? Perfect. Come as you are, bring your enthusiasm and, ideally, your flag of choice.
A Spectacular Setting
The evening takes place in the historic Musiksaal at Stadtcasino Basel, one of the city's great cultural landmarks, renowned for its acoustics and beautiful surroundings. It's an opportunity to dress up if you like, but there is no classical-concert dress code to worry about. Come smart-casual, go full evening glamour, or simply wear something you feel good in.
The most important accessory? Your flag.
Music You'll Probably Recognize
You don't need a classical-music degree to enjoy the programme. The evening moves across opera, orchestral music, Broadway, choral favourites and songs that have become part of popular culture.
This Year's Hightlights
Carl Orff's O Fortuna from Carmina Burana, with its thunderous, instantly recognizable opening
Puccini's Nessun Dorma, one of opera's most famous arias
Gershwin's Fantasy on Porgy and Bess, bringing Gershwin's jazz-inflected world to the concert hall
You'll Never Walk Alone, the ultimate communal singalong
Basel's own Z'Basel an mym Rhy Featuring the unmistakable sound of the Pfyffer und Tambouren von der Rotstab-Clique Liestal 1930
And, for the grand finale, Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1
This year's concert also features Welsh tenor, Wynne Evans. And if you're thinking, “Wait, isn't Wynne Evans the guy from Strictly Come Dancing?” Yes. Evans has a 25-year classical singing career, including performances at major opera houses such as the Royal Opera House and Welsh National Opera. But he's also won Celebrity Master Chef and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. Which perhaps tells you something about the spirit of this concert: classical credentials are welcome, but you don't have to be a classical-music person to have fun.
What Makes This Concert so Unique?
You are a bit of a fidget, and hate sitting perfectly still? No problem. You like to sway to the music? perfect! There are moments in the programme when the audience is invited to sing, and you become part of the show. Sing along. Clap. Cheer. Wave your flag of choice (national, cantonal, favourite football team, family heritage). Sway to the music. Enjoy the atmosphere.
From Eurovision to Basel Proms
During Basel’s Eurovision 2025, Artistic Director and soprano Beverley Worboys spearheaded the city-wide SING! BASEL initiative, taking the Basel Proms Chorus across the city's festival hubs and onto the stage at St. Jakob-Park.
Chorus Master Maija Gschwind prepared the 130-strong chorus for its Eurovision performances, as well as its appearances at the Stadtcasino Basel's 200th-anniversary celebrations.
At the centre of that Eurovision story was David Lawrence, Basel Proms' Principal Conductor and Chorus Master. He is also an internationally experienced British conductor, who holds a Guinness World Record for conducting the UK's largest choir: 6,846 singers. At Basel Proms, he'll be back on the podium bringing together the orchestra, chorus and audience.
So, if you loved the communal energy of Eurovision in Basel, this is a chance to experience the same musical spirit in a beautiful indoor setting.
The 2026 Line-Up
Beverley Worboys
British soprano and co-founder of Basel Proms, Beverley has performed opera, concert and West End roles, including Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera in both London and Basel. She was also at the heart of SING! BASEL during Eurovision.
Wynne Evans
Welsh operatic tenor with performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House and Royal Albert Hall, not forgetting his many television appearances as actor and broadcaster.
Angela Brower
American mezzo-soprano who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Bayerische Staatsoper, Salzburg Festival and Glyndebourne.
Amira Abouzahra
Egyptian-Hungarian violinist who launched her international career at just nine years old with performances at the Berliner Philharmonie, Lincoln Center and Covent Garden.
Susan Brownfield
American performer whose career spans opera, musical theatre and the concert stage, including the Broadway national tour of The King and I. Based in Switzerland, Susan is co-founder of Boutique Theatre Basel.
Your Saturday Night Checklist
📅 Save the date: Saturday, 21 November, 2026
🕡 Doors open: 18:30
🎵 Music starts: 19:30
📍 Where: Musiksaal, Stadtcasino Basel, Konzertgasse 1, 4051 Basel
🎟️ Tickets from CHF 40
🚩 Bring a flag, if you fancy it. And your singing voice.
Is Basel Proms For You?
If you're looking for another quiet Saturday night in front of Netflix, probably not. If you're looking for live music, a spectacular venue, big voices, big orchestral moments, a bit of singing, a lot of atmosphere and an excuse to wave a flag in public, put 21 November in your calendar.
You don't need to know classical music.
You don't need to know when you're supposed to clap.
You don't even need to be able to sing!
Come for the music. Stay for the atmosphere. Join the chorus next year?
Susannah Todd
Susannah was awarded a Masters in French after completing an Erasmus exchange (Universities of Kent and Grenoble). As a linguist and communicator, she has worked in philanthropy, education, audiovisual production, television entertainment and other sectors. Her voluntary work focuses on social inclusion. A collection of her poems was commissioned by the British Army for soldiers with PTSD.
Basel Proms
Inspired by the legendary music festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Basel Proms is a rousing gala evening that brings together Swiss, UK and international artists in a grand celebration of music, arts and culture. The event features the Basel Festival Orchestra, the Basel Proms Chorus and international and Basel-based soloists.
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