Thomas Hampson - Rule Britannia - Last Night of the Proms

Last Night of the Proms (1998 if I remember correctly)
Thomas Hampson, baritone
Andrew Davis, conductor
broadcast by a German TV channel (with a bit of German commentary at the end)

[@chidorisnake22]

God, I've never felt this proud to be British. I'm shedding tears over here.

[@GM-oj5qt]

I watch this all the time it's the best version of Rule Britannia it's amazing the best of Britain and the British Empire.

[@johnnyandersen9209]

Omg. This is just The Best! Hampson’s voice is just so powerfull..

[@zimnaya]

The very, very best version that I can recall - he has a power in the voice that few can achieve. Bravo!!!

[@borakaraca9788]

I aggre thomas hampson's voice was just perfect in this song

[@benphu]

Thomas Hampson should return to sing this to spark a certain tingle in new generations and for all of the world to have it available in modern HD!

[@michaelriordan8265]

Bloody Hell, an American singing this, Absolutely Brilliant

[@williamavalon4830]

A magnificent rendition! Bravo! Rule Britannia forever!

[@ems194]

BRAVO!!! Perhaps the best rendition of Rule Britannia I've heard. And sung by an American no less.

[@patongshop9494]

No not the best by a long way. Just look to the 2012 version. Blew this out the water.

[@pixel8ated]

@@patongshop9494 Would it have been better if this hadn't been this good to set the bar?

[@pixel8ated]

America land of the free and the brave or freer and braver?

[@petermurray6615]

@@patongshop9494 No comparison. Hampson by a country mile.

[@yudiuup5272]

I respectfully agree!

[@MrsPisaroni]

Thomas Hampson FABULOUS !!!! Every word audible BRAVO

[@pocketdynamo87]

Here's what the commentator's saying: "You, ladies and gentlemen, have become witnesses of a nearly unbelievable premiere: the most british of all british songs, the Rule Britannia, was sung by an american this year, the baritone Thomas Hampson - which you just sampled before; but at least, a dependant of a renegade british colony, the US. And the sky didn't collapse."

[@FormerBaptist]

Considering the heritage of the current royal family, it ought to be sung in Danish and German.

[@patriciayeiser6405]

A wonderful bariton. Made in the USA!!!

[@bobtbtownsend]

Never was this sung with more power or passion - what a stirring performance. The Best. Thomas - what a man!

[@theimperialsoldier7048]

Still brings chills to my spine. Great song, great audience, great voice.

[@BerenikiRegina]

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

[@j-mh.1669]

Amazing, wonderful... How wonderful and proud, and brave is the English people. Always extraordinary in History, fighting with courage, and keeping sense of humor !

[@johngreenbacker9524]

Absolutely the best Proms rendition of this great anthem. Tommy Handsome at his best, and he memorized it all without any resort to prompts.

[@Insperato62]

Why would have resorted to prompts? He's singing in his own language (well, approximately). People sing whole operas in a foreign language!

[@elenastevcikova766]

🤩

[@wotan10950]

Hampson's enunciation is arguably the best of this anthem on KZbin. Even some of the British, Welsh, and Irish artists can't match his pronunciation and agility.

[@johncourt3451]

Dave Glo Thomas Hampson is European by adoption.

[@BuzzLightyear9999]

...but Bryn Terfel singing the third verse is still the funniest of all of them...

[@pixel8ated]

We export our best talent

[@benphu]

@@johncourt3451 indeed XD

[@PenzancePete]

@@pixel8ated we don't export our best talent. Our best talent has to go elsewhere to obtain recognition.

[@squadr0]

One of the most passionate things I ever saw.

[@eths1966]

Yes, a great and inspirational performance by Hampson. Very neat that the Brits had an American perform. Times change. That, in itself, gives hope. In this context, see Volodos’s “rousing rendition” of the Stars and Stripes Forever. Another great performance. KZbin is a great institution.

[@pattipage12]

This is one of the best renditions and he looks so dignified!

[@stanleyhowardgent4546]

Stanley Howard Gent What a great version of RULE BRITANNIA, sung by an American at the Last Night of the Proms. Whenever I hear it being sung it brings tears to my eyes. I am very proud to be British , and all that goes with it.

[@joelbarder1988]

Anyone else here because the BBC have threatened to remove this from the Proms?

[@brianjackson1744]

Yes

[@barbaranorthwood]

@@brianjackson1744 And I am. In protest I'm trying to play all the past performances.

[@lesleywilbourne7823]

Yep I am posting them all on Facebook

[@rindenver1194]

As a Yank of English, Scottish and Welsh ancestry, this absolutely cannot be allowed to happen. Rule Britannia! Long live our noble Queen.

[@michaelcrowe2341]

@@barbaranorthwood Quite right. The BBC are a complete shower to give in to that minority of cranks. Talk about frightened rabbits ? Disgusting.

[@jackma152]

This is a great song, GOD BLESS ALL THE BRITS and GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!

[@etherealvox2010]

I hope my neighbor likes this song !

[@MrSebboxxx]

lol

[@MrTalikakas]

superbe rendetion, and what a handsome baritone, truly a great american performance!

[@tomcummin6801]

An outstanding rendition Mr Hampson. Truly magnificent. Bravo sir!

[@corneliawissing7950]

Thank you, Mr Hampson! (From somebody very far away fro both the UK and the USA.)

[@1927edith]

I adore him, he is wonderful singer!

[@orion8835]

This is a gorgeous version. Nice to the men getting on the platform vocally in this piece. Hampson sounds excellent!

[@DonDonP1]

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!

[@Insperato62]

Waistcoat :)

[@noosphere23]

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

[@bertinsydney8710]

I love this baritone version

[@robyteppa4200]

God Save her majesty the Queen and British people

[@bettinagerloff1379]

God save the QUEEN!!!

[@mehitabel1290]

And Mr Hampson.

[@TTfoley-ph4zh]

i love this version of the song.

[@cmayfordian4451]

Splendid, energetic singing. Well done!

[@raijajokinen3960]

Fantastic!

[@fh854]

This and Bryn Terfel are the best versions

[@patriciayeiser6405]

And Kiri Te Kanawa.

[@brinstarholmington678]

The might of the British Empire from the tongue of an American. Beautiful.

[@wrk101]

I'm sure he had some tea before that performance : )

[@rafort09]

Damn right he’s good

[@PuzzleCollege]

On a quest to discover what I consider to be the best iteration, and insofar, here she lies.

[@victorparker308]

To our cousins from a yank. God bless the motherland Great Britian. All from the past is long forgiven. Don't let the forces of darkness destroy your great heritage. A heritige that bequeathed modern America. Many parts of the world would be better off today if Britian was still invincible and ruled the waves!

[@replicas11]

Thank you, and god bless America 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@paulward6287]

👁 ty

[@kayden5238]

when I hear this song it brings tears to my eyes but I'm not sure if its, because of how proud i am of my country or how sad I am it being destroyed by selfish, woke people

[@DonVal86]

Hampson’s voice is so powerful it reaches the four corners of the earth, just like the British Empire once did :/

[@pixel8ated]

arguably only 3/4

[@DonVal86]

Yoda Carp fishing It’s an expression mate.

[@coolrunnings6694]

This used to be such a great country...

[@johncourt3451]

Dave Glo. Thank you for your support re Thomas Hampson. Hampson is in the finest tradition of German Tenors, thw Worlds best. Oh there are the Italians who force the voice and end up like raspy old Pavarotti. Remember Fischer-Discau? good to the last breath and controlled laryngeal vibration. So many pretenders are little more than tromboni.

[@randidey3349]

Thomas Hampson est un baryton Americain

[@johnnyandersen9209]

Hampsons voice is so powerfull, that it Would rule The Empire by it self...

[@lorenzbroll0101]

How things have deteriorated - especially at the hands of the BBC?

[@xbqchm]

That's what you get if you are letting the liberal left to take over your country and to destroy it and its culture from the inside.

[@lorenzbroll0101]

​@@xbqchm The BBC has become a State within a State and therefore must be got rid of - full stop. They are using the TV Tax to fund their propaganda!

[@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.

[@RogersRamblings]

Many concerts encourage audience participation. And then there's the Last Night of the Proms. Bravo.

[@jsrlasher4711]

Inspired performance. Thomas H rules!

[@Two_Seat_Pete_FatA55]

Britons shall never be slaves 🇬🇧

[@whatever4929]

Thomas Hampson; a truly great artist!

[@TheFBR13]

I would love to see and listen again Thomas Hampson, in that Last Night of the Proms (1998?), singing (and joking a little bit with it) the Largo al Factotu aria from The Barber of Seville...

[@robyortichella7412]

TheFBR13 iremember it wonderful and powerful piece

[@PatroniFan]

I LOVE YOU, THOMAS HAMPSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kjb1611tw]

Amen and praise Jesus from Taiwan

[@KitFisto1997]

I WANT THAT SUIT! :D

[@sedekiman]

Brilliant by Thomas Hampson!!!

[@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.

[@matthewwhite1997]

I've got to say it, The American was good.....very good...

[@PatroniFan]

I'm crazy for Thomas Hampson.

[@johnnyandersen9209]

The Best “rule Britannia” ever!

[@pixel8ated]

The prodigal son knew his fathers heart more than the kiss ass son

[@stuauld4912]

Canny chanter.

[@hirsch4155]

Johnny Andersen I prefer a tenor version but ok.

[@edgotharbas417]

I love this!

[@MaddHatter077]

By the time this song ended my water had turned into tea!!

[@leopoldosantoslandois2523]

Excelente barítono bajo voz excepcional.

[@lawomega1]

T.H what a baritone ,absolutely fabulous ,the best ive ever heard ,i really enjoyed his wonderful powerful voice ,what a treat for us lover of good voice and lovely music.

[@KR-us9pj]

Absolutely fantastic.

[@cz2165]

Best diction of any rendition.

[@sandymaine4]

Just love this; Thomas is the very best baritone who ever sang at the Proms!! Wonderful to watch. Thanks for the posting.

[@MrSwifts31]

Hello there, It is a whistled version of "See the Conquering Hero Comes" from Judas Maccabeus by Handel,the orchestra continue it as Thomas Hampson comes on.

[@leff56]

Thanks for the upload!

[@kayden5238]

My favorite version of this song out of all the versions is this one well-sung sir well sung

[@vernonjones3613]

The yank can certainly sing brill

[@fotogme11]

Amazing but I could actually understand the soloist in this rendition! Great job!

[@deplorabled1695]

Best I've heard. Solid British name too.

[@mausimama1]

I love it!!

[@tincoffin]

By Jove that guy has a powerful voice. With most you hear a bit of strain but not with him.

[@ColonelFredPuntridge]

Yes, it's kind of strange. He's normally a light lyric, like Fischer-Dieskau, For him to sing this heroically is very unusual for him.

[@Shazzadut1]

tincoffin Thomas Hampson is one of the worlds best baritones. Great technique and diction.

[@Shazzadut1]

Theodore Shulman look at his Largo Al Factotum at the Met Gala with James Levine. His Figaro is powerful, strong and forceful.

[@imartinow]

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

[@MrsPisaroni]

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bettinagerloff1379]

Ach wie schön. Wundervoll und erbaulich.

[@perolsen4271]

Splendid voice.

[@johnnyandersen9209]

Best rule britania ever!

[@Agramil]

Brilliant. Got to love Hampson. I just wish this was in crisp 1080p and not 240p, but you can't have everything :)

[@sandymaine4]

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

[@ElDraco53]

Großartig!

[@mantenful]

Geweldig echt feest

[@johnnyandersen9209]

The American nailed it!

[@wrk101]

I'm guessing he had some tea before the performance ; )

[@miapjo12]

Of all the versions on KZbin I like this one best because his voice doesn't overpower the lyrics, and as an American whose heard the music but never listened to the words I can make out every word he says.

[@jemmabond]

Oh, I'm in love!

[@siegmundwaelsung2217]

I would like to see a friendly round of "duelling bariones" with Bryn Terfel singing "Rule Britannia" and Thomas Hampson singing the complete "Star Spangled Banner" including the rarely sung other 3 verses that include references to "haughty Brittanic hoards". This reminds me of the joke during the Falklands war: "Britain waives the rules!" When the UK sub "Conqueror" torpedoed the Argentine light cruiser "General Belgrano" outside the exclusion zone that applied only to non-naval ships.

[@beidlgsicht]

"see the conquering hero comes" by georg friedrich handel, the melody is also used in a german christmas song ("tochter zion, freue dich" = "rejoice, daughter of zion", not to be mixed up with "rejoice greatly, daughter of zion")

[@najjifalihs3879]

Awesome

[@whoflungdung1046]

Dang sang song ding wing dong . Thanks America for helping us in WWll

[@victorparker308]

Your welcome from California. We're family with a special bond & blood relationship that will last forever. Uncles fought WW2 in Europe and South Pacific alongside British and Commonwealth soldiers. Rule Brittiana!, God Bless Anerica, and God Save The Queen.

[@rapier1954]

Took a Yank to do the song justice. Very good pronunciation, powerful and clear.

[@wrk101]

He had some tea before the performance, I'm sure ; )

[@mikehughes4029]

by far the best version ever ! I will tell Trump!

[@cappygolucky]

OMG how fucking spectacular

[@ragnarkisten]

The sun never sets on the brexit empire!

[@FabioPBarbieri]

That's because it has nowhere to rise.

[@perolsen4271]

A force of nature!

[@COPA737LOVER]

Reminds me of Ted Danson on Cheers

[@johnwood8062]

Justin

[@parisalan1]

hahaha...he does. Except Thomas Hampson actually has hair

[@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?

[@kpelletier343]

God save the Queen of Canada and the Commonwealth!

[@pixel8ated]

Scotland II and other colonies

[@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.

[@thegentlemanfish7504]

Me: hears Kraut. Also Me: Quiet Kraut. The Anglos are talking.

[@gcbakop1]

As an American I want to say that it makes me proud to hear this great hymn..."Rule Britannia, Britannia Rule the Waves, Britons will never, ever, ever shall be slave"...

[@uytgggffghj8797]

As an Englishman(not , Scottish, welsh or Irish) i say, thank you.

[@atomiccongo]

Amen.

[@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 :-)