Photo: Opera Wire
Following the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the last night of the proms and the Mercury Music Prize have been postponed.
The traditional finale of the Proms was scheduled for Saturday at the Royal Albert Hall. However, according to the event’s organizers, the event was canceled to mark respect for the loss of the monarch.
Meanwhile, the Mercury Music Prize was due to take place on Thursday. However, it was also canceled after the nominees arrived at the London venue.
Artists such as Sam Fender and Little Simz were rehearsing for a show that was to air on BBC 4 when the royal loss was announced.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family at this very difficult time,” said organizers in a statement.
Other contenders for Album of the Year include Self Esteem, Wet Legs, Harry Styles and Gwenno. Organizers said they would provide information on future dates as soon as they are able.
The Proms concert was cut short Thursday after BBC Radio 3’s Allan Davey made a brief announcement from the stage. Finally, the Philadelphia Orchestra played the national anthem and Elgar’s Nimrod, and the concert ended early.
The Royal Box was empty and the curtains behind the seats were drawn as a mark of respect.
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A Royal Mourn
The Royal Opera House has also postponed the opening night of its new productions of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
“We are enormously saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said Alex Beard, the venue’s chief executive, in a statement. “Her patronage of the Royal Opera House was a source of great pride to all our artists and staff, and her long standing support for the arts was deeply appreciated.”
Furthermore, the Opera House will not be in operation on the day of the Queen’s state funeral.
A few theaters dimmed their lights on Thursday. However, most performances were done as planned, like the Royal Shakespeare Company’s productions of Richard III in Stratford-Upon-Avon and Matilda The Musical in London.
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