‘Rule, Britannia!’

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‘Rule, Britannia!’ A song with chorus from the final scene of Thomas Arne's masque Alfred (words by James Thomson and David Mallett), first performed at the prince of Wales's residence Cliveden in 1740. It was published shortly afterwards as ‘The celebrated ode, in Honour of Great britain call'd Rule britannia’. It has been quoted by various composers, including Beethoven in a set of piano variations and his ‘Battle’ Symphony. It has become a second British national anthem and is traditionally sung at the last night of London's Promenade Concerts, frequently by a redoubtable mezzo-soprano.

Eric Cross