Flags fly for Proms (and Britannia)
RULE, Britannia! rang out around the Royal Albert Hall last night after the BBC backed down on its decision to drop the Proms anthem.
A select group of BBC singers performed the song along with Land Of Hope And Glory to mark the conclusion of the Last Night Of The Proms at the audience-free venue.
The BBC had planned instrumental versions of the pieces. It said this was prompted by Covid restrictions.
However, it was suggested that they were abandoned in the wake of the Black Lives Matter Movement because of their lyrics and reference to slavery. The move prompted a furious row which even drew in Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He said: “I think it’s time we stopped our cringing embarrassment about our history, about our traditions, and about our culture, and we stopped this general bout of self-recrimination and wetness.”
Earlier this month the BBC announced it had changed its mind.
It said: “Both pieces will now include a select group of BBC Singers. This means the words will be sung in the Hall, and as we have always made clear, audiences will be free to sing along at home.”
The last night usually centres on a packed Albert Hall and Union flags waved by the crowds. Instead there was a socially distanced event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea where fans waved flags as they watched on a giant screen.
Presenter Katie Derham introduced the night, saying: “Grab your hats, grab your flags and get ready for a night to remember.”
Highlights included South African soprano Golda Schultz who sang an aria from Mozart’s The Marriage Of Figaro. Solo violinist Nicola Benedetti performed Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending.