Page 70 - Coverage Book_Aurora Orchestra Autumn 2020

The BBC said next year's Proms would see Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory sung in full,
replicating a tradition that dates back at least to the 1950s.

Why is Rule, Britannia! so controversial?

Rule, Britannia! was set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740, and its lyrics were based on a poem by
James Thomson.
It contains verses such as: "Rule, Britannia! rule the waves / Britons never will be slaves."

Land Of Hope And Glory makes similar reference to the "might" of the former British Empire, which
some people today find problematic.

Speaking in August, Chi-chi Nwanoku, the founder of Chineke!, an orchestra that has performed at
the Proms and whose musicians are majority black, Asian and ethnically diverse, said Rule,
Britannia! was "offensive".

She added that any black person "aware of their history, the empire and colonialism" would
"struggle to enjoy the patriotic jingoism of these songs".

Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby said he had always found that part of the last night "uncomfortable",
suggesting the "delusory" second line be changed to: "Britons never, never, never shall be knaves".

The BBC said it had originally planned to play the songs in an orchestral version due to coronavirus
restrictions - although singers were due to perform on other nights of the Proms.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson voiced his objection to the original decision, telling MPs: "People love
our traditions and our history with all its imperfections", adding attempts to "censor" it were
"crazy".

The BBC later reversed the decision, saying: "Both pieces will now include a select group of BBC
Singers", explaining the words would be sung in the Hall, with audiences free to sing along at home.

It came after director-general Lord Hall was succeeded in the role by Tim Davie, the former chief
executive of commercial arm BBC Studios.