Last Night of the Proms

[drigon]

Just enjoying this at the moment. Lots of EU and Union Jack flag waving (of course!) Never been a classical music buff, so I wanted to ask why several audience members were so tearful during the cello solo earlier? Wondered is someone could enlighten me.

It’s just a last night tradition, because the Fantasia on British Sea Songs goes in stages through the Battle of Trafalgar (I think it’s Trafalgar), including the death of a sailor/homesickness/victory/return home, hence the ostentatious hankies at the death part.

We went to an outdoor screening in our local park but had to leave before the end because we got too cold. I wasnt keen on all the opera singing in the first half.

Thanks Frangible, I was mystified and couldn't find the answer online.

And since when did it become "Never, never will be slaves" instead of "Never, never shall be slaves"?

The tune is Poor Tom Bowling www.yorkshirefolksong.net/song.cfm?songID=84

I love the phrase ‘ostentatious hankies’, a perfect description.

@TheMaestro, this might answer your question:
www.hatstandopera.co.uk/2013/09/05/night-proms-rule-britannia-words-opera-anorak-alert/

It's like a really refined Rocky Horror Picture show

It’s will be slaves on Wikipedia.

I met dh in the queue for TheLastNight of the Proms. He queued for a week, and I queued from the Thursday before - we had our tickets but were queuing for our spot on the rail at the front. You had to be there overnight, but could go to the Proms concerts each evening, and to the pub after - that’s where I met dh - and some people were going to work each day too.

I love it, DH and I watch every year, sad thing is, it’s like the end of the summer

I was literally just wondering why ostentatious hankies annoyed me whereas Rocky Horror audience participation wouldn’t! (I think the answer is I’m just feeling like a massive grumpy killjoy tonight.)

Love the proms, I wish I still lived in London every summer, I used to go several times a week pre kids because it was £3 then and I could go straight from work to prom. Never been to the last night though.

I love it so much. Every year I tune in but usually just for the last half an hour. Danny boy was lovely in Belfast. Will try and get Hyde park tx next year!

I find the ostentatious hankies annoying, to be honest, and I once went to a Singalong Sound of Music dressed as a Brown Paper Package Tied Up With String. Well, I did until the rustling got annoying.

I felt particularly sour tonight because I was imagining Nigel Farage singing ‘Rule Britannia’ and grinning that shit-eating grin.Jamie Barton should have produced an EU flag and sung ‘Still more majestic shalt thou rise BUT HAVE A SECOND REFERENDUM, OK?’

I watch every year to make sure the dopes in the mosh pit still can't bob in time to the music. It's all very hackneyed and silly, especially the bloody handkerchieves.

Jamie Barton was amazing! I loved the bit from Samson and Delilah

Did anyone hear / see Symphonie Fantastique? I caught the tv broadcast last night and was bowled over by it, and had no one to share with. I didn’t think to check MN.

I always think I won't watch, but I always do and sing lustily thus frightening my cat. I got tickets for the last night in 1956 and went with a school friend. It was televised then; my friend's dad couldn't see us on the TV.

Interesting Ooojamaflip, I've only ever known it as "shall", and we're talking 40 years of performing!

I love all of the utterly bonkers traditions of the Last Night. 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇬🇧

... and Jamie Barton was Wonderful! 🏳️‍🌈