Page 66 - Coverage Book_Aurora Orchestra Autumn 2020
P. 66
13 September 2020
Subdued Proms concludes after Rule,
Britannia! row
Media captionIt's been a very different Proms season this year. Here are some of the highlights.
A subdued version of The Last Night of the Proms has been held in London, after a row over
Rule, Britannia! threatened to overshadow the event.
It saw a pared-down version of the BBC Symphony Orchestra play to an empty Royal Albert Hall, in
order to comply with coronavirus restrictions.
After a very public row, the patriotic songs Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory were sung
by a small choir.
The BBC was criticised for plans to omit the lyrics last month.
Critics said the words evoked a British colonial, imperialist past that is at odds with the values of
modern Britain and the Black Lives Matter movement.
▪ Last Night of the Proms will play Rule, Britannia
▪ Proms concerts will change depending on Covid rules
▪ Proms to open with Beethoven 'mash-up'
The BBC insisted its original decision had been driven less by politics than by the limitations
imposed on musicians, and choirs in particular, during the pandemic.
