Thomas Hampson - Rule Britannia - Last Night of the Proms

[AfroPoli]

A disgusting song and a fantastic coat: a coat that represents racism, slavery, capitalism, war crimes and the true axis of evil. Well done, Mr. Hampson.

[noosphere23]

Hampson rules! He is by far the best interpreter of this customary Proms piece. Thanks fo posting!

[Jall234]

@noosphere23 I agree with you there.

[jemmabond]

Oh, I'm in love!

[sandymaine4]

Thomas does the Proms like no other......he's the best!!

[mausimama1]

I love it!!

[BerenikiRegina]

It never fails to send a frisson of pride up my spine.

[ElDraco53]

Großartig!



[chirac06]

I am proudly Canadian, but I am also proud to acknowledge Britain as one of the founders of all that is good about my country. Long may she prosper! Thanks for an uplifting performance.

[imartinow]

an amercain who sings "Rule, Britannia!" - which contradiction! i like it

[taffy402]

Mr Hampsom is a great singer, I wonder as an American what he was thinking going on stage in the patriotic caldron of the Albert Hall. Great stuff, I don't know of another country in the world that can put on an event like this, that so well followed.

[Tekphaser]

Danke an den WDR für die Aufnahme!

Thanks to West German Televison for broadcasting. This recording from the Proms in 1998 is very hard to get!

[Tanlis1]

wie alt ist das Lied?

[amfortas1978]

what's the first part of the song called? before the main rule britannia.

[Meliandelis]

@amfortas1978

It's the main theme from Judas Macchabeus by Haendel.

[ElDraco53]

@Meliandelis

Meines Wissens: Nein!

Gruß aus Deutschland

[ElDraco53]

@Meliandelis

Ich bitte um Entschuldigung. Sie haben recht. Ich weis allerdings nicht, wie ich meinen Kommentar, die Musik vor "Rule Britannia" betreffend, löschen kann.

Gruß von

[CHERRYMAX02]

Outstanding performance! Great tone quality, too! Long live the UK!

[Tekphaser]

@CHERRYMAX02 "Great tone quality, too!" yeah, long live Germany... ;o)

[dondonp12004]

Wow, that was awesome! Same goes for his American British vest, the one that incorporates both the Stars & Stripes and the Union Flag. Thanks for the upload! Greetings from the United States of America!

[interpreterr]

@dondonp12004 My pleasure! I also thought that the vest was brilliant. And hats of to an Amercan who learns the verses of "Rule, Britannia" by heart :-)

[PietroAntoni]

So lucky to have a baritone the calibre of Hampson in opera houses. I've seen him live so often and he's never disappointed me. He's one of the greats.....for sure!

What pleasure you have given me....... and that Kiss Me Kate with Dame Josephine . What immense pleasure drowning in their glory.

[tobias29H]

I am German lived couple of years in the UK And : I learned to laugh about myself and learned a lot of the British history, and i tell you : if i am older and got a new hip ( in england difficult to become with 60+ ;) ;) ) I move back to England !

[interpreterr]

@tobias29H You never know. You might win a lottery or something :-)

[tobias29H]

@interpreterr LOL ok that is one option more ;o)

[interpreterr]

@nadann73 Take it easy!. At least the English can laugh at themselves and such seemingly chauvinistic songs. Have a look at some other versions of 'Rule Britannia" by Connolly, Terfel, Eaglen or Jones. Can you imagine an echt German or French ultra-patriotic song sung in such a manner (and in such costumes:)? I'm not saying that the English or Americans are not chauvinistic. SOME of them probably are. As are SOME Germans or French or other nationals (my own compatriots included :).

[ISLANDBUGLEBOY]

@interpreterr What's striking is the lack of humour around the world. And their lack of appreciation of a cup of tea, dammit! ; ]

[interpreterr]

@ISLANDBUGLEBOY Hear, hear for a cup of tea! :-)))

[monteverdifan]

this must be the best version sung by a man! absolutely perfect

[Letmemasee]

Fantastic, I had that one audio taped, too, but somehow I lost it. I'm really glad that it can be heard (and seen) again. Somehow I never managed to find a BBC CD of that Last Night?

[interpreterr]

I don't think it has ever been issued on CD/video (I might be wrong though). Perhaps it will be issued some day - the programme was excellent and Hampson was in good voice. And he was probably one of the first non-Brits (if not the first) to have sung 'Rule Britannia" during at the Proms.

[Eurofrank1]

Those were the days for Thomas!. It was the period when he was probably at the height of his vocal ability.

[seektheforce]

Does Thomas Hampson sing with the chorus or no?  Just wondering because the camera doesn't really focus on him when the chorus is being sung.

[interpreterr]

@seektheforce

It seems he does in the encore

[seektheforce]

Ahhh, yeah it's kinda hard to tell, thank you.

[Martinofredwall100]

I would loved to be under the proms while I was in London in 1998!

[Sabatinitennis]

Way-hay...... go for it sunshine ...... what a rousing rendition this one is; crystal clear sound, good acoustics in the buidling (as always) and accompanied by a fired-up audience. Superb.

[gumlefeta]

This dude can really sing....

[paulmartinstillman]

American by birth, Anglo Saxon by the grace of God!

[interpreterr]

You're welcoome. As the German commentator says at the end, the heaven didn't fall, although this was sung by someone from a former British colony -:)

Well, I'm not British myself, but I too like this version. I think Hampson struck the right balance between lightness and seriousness.

[ThePAB47]

He is not British but who cares!

This is so rousing!!! THANKS!

[interpreterr]

You're welcome!

[leff56]

Thanks for the upload!