Prom 71: The Philadelphia Orchestra with Lisa Batiashvili (9.09.22)

[Barbirollians]

I think this idea that we should reflexively cancel things, in a misguided attempt to show respect, is very silly. Especially when it's the monarch, as the whole point of a a monarchy is that there is continuity. I suppose it was done for 'safety first' reasons. They'd rather annoy all the people who had spent money on their tickets, transport and everything else, than upset the gammons on the Daily Mail, who will be eagerly watching for any sign that can be misinterpreted as disrespectful. Woe betide anyone who might be wearing the wrong tie at the moment.

Well said - also the main channels are doing a Diana all over again.

I cannot see why tonight's concert should have been cancelled though I understand why the Last Night was thought inappropriate.

[Ein Heldenleben]

They were able to do it in 2001.

Do what exactly ?
Just worked out what you’re referring to . This is very different in scale. The sheer number of events - the Accession Council. The services at St Giles Edinburgh , also I believe services in Northern Ireland , Wales , the public Lying in State , the State Funeral on the scale of Churchill’s ….

[duncan]

I think it was inevitable that LNOP would be cancelled, as its celebratory purpose would seem out of step and inappropriate in the immediate aftermath of the Queen's death. They might have instead changed the programme to make it a more sombre event, as they did after Diana's death and 9/11, but neither of those changes were entirely satisfactory, so perhaps cancellation was the best thing.

I suspect the BBC might also have been worried that the EU flag-bearers who have targeted the Last Night in recent years would not have heeded calls to modify their behaviour, and this could have led to further calls from the Daily Mail brigade and the Govt to abolish the licence.

As an aside, I was at the opening night of the Wigmore Hall's season last night, which went ahead almost as planned (Carolyn Sampson replaced the advertised singer at the last minute to save the concert). A portrait of the Queen adorned with black ribbons was placed in the foyer, and there was a minutes silence before the concert began. This seemed to me to be very successful; it was suitably respectful, and allowed the concert to proceed.

Sadly, I think you're right about The BBC and the Daily Mail tendency.

I was at the West Ham v Steaua Bucuresti match yesterday evening. There was the big screen equivalent of the Wigmore's portrait, the minute silence was impeccably observed by both sets of fans (a lot of Romanians present, mostly ex.pats based in east London if the lot near me were anything to go by), and there were several impromptu choruses of God Save The Queen. The atmosphere was a bit flat initially but as the game progressed it became quite lively. As a West Ham fan, I'm sure she would have approved.