The Proms – Historical Newspaper Reports of the Promenade Concerts in 1941

‘If music be the food of life, then play on.’

The 118th season of the Proms starts tonight at the Royal Albert Hall.

To celebrate this wonderful event, we’ve posted two newspaper reports about the 1941 Proms.

Due to fire damage during ‘the Blitz, the Proms were moved that year from Queen’s Hall to the Royal Albert Hall.

In the first of these reports, you can read about the concerns that were raised regarding the inferior acoustics of the Royal Albert Hall. But, well, any port in a storm…

At a time prior to the USA becoming an active ally in the war, it’s interesting to note the Anglo-American theme to the programme.

Western Morning News – Monday 25 August 1941

Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19410825/009/0002

Hull Daily Mail – Wednesday 09 July 1941

Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19410709/053/0004