British composers have made an important contribution to classical music. Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934) wrote the Enigma Variations and Pomp and Circumstance Marches — the trio from the first march, set to Land of Hope and Glory, is sung at the Last Night of the Proms. Ralph Vaughan Williams collected English folk songs and turned them into orchestral works such as The Lark Ascending. Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) wrote the operas Peter Grimes and The Turn of the Screw and the choral War Requiem.
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The BBC Proms — short for Promenade Concerts — are an annual series of classical concerts held mainly at the Royal Albert Hall in London from July to September. The Last Night of the Proms is broadcast live and includes traditional patriotic songs.
You may be asked who wrote the Enigma Variations (Elgar), or where the Proms are held (the Royal Albert Hall).
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