Last Night Of The Proms to censor Rule Britannia with instrumental-only performance at this years event – NME

The BBC will stage orchestral versions of Rule Britannia and Land Of Hope And Glory at this years Last Night Of The Promsfollowing reports that it was considering their removal.

Producers were reportedly in discussions about scrapping the two British anthems from the setlist because of the songs perceived associations with colonialism and slavery [via The Sunday Times].

But Sky News today (August 24) confirmed that the BBC will include the anthems for its annual live concert series, which will run this year at Londons Royal Albert Hall without an audience due to coronavirus pandemic. Lyrics for both songs will not be sung, however, and orchestral-only versions will be performed instead.

Last Night Of The Proms at Royal Albert Hall. CREDIT: Rob Ball/Redferns

A spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that, with much reduced musical forces, the Proms will curate a concert that includes familiar, patriotic elements such as Jerusalem and the national anthem, including performances from soprano Golda Schultz and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Youll Never Walk Alone will be added to the programme for the purposes of capturing the mood of this unique time, the spokesperson added.

The news comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman intervened in the row to argue that songs should not be removed from the event. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden agreed, and Tweeted that he had raised concerns with the BBC.

The discussion comes in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been heightened in recent monthsfollowing the death of George Floyd, anAfrican American man who was killed in Minneapolis in May after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

Dalia Stasevska, who is conducting this years Last Night Of The Proms, is keen to modernise the evenings repertoire and reduce the patriotic elements. Dalia is a big supporter of Black Lives Matter and thinks a ceremony without an audience is the perfect moment to bring change, a BBC source toldThe Sunday Times.

The concert is due to take place on September 12 without an audience.

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Last Night Of The Proms to censor Rule Britannia with instrumental-only performance at this years event - NME