I think the 'pronoun stupidity' is in the phrasing, 'A and B perform their...' which sounds like the traditional use of their. And it says that an orchestra and two people are performing a solo.
And the proms is described by the BBC as a 'classical music festival'.
So I think that one sentence ticks the slttay box at least 3 times!
Exactly Paul,
It also gives the reader the impression that Simon Hale was involved in the original album.
The whole piece is a mess.The BBC is still for me a benchmark of what is ‘correct’ and this was a complete mangle.
To a degree though they have my sympathy.
It was the BBC who were instrumental in promoting the early career of this artist thereby introducing me to the wonderful pop talent and voice of Sam Smith, many of whose tracks and collaborations populate my playlists. For me in many ways they (he)* and Will Young have delivered new material of a style that is so sadly no longer going to come from George Michael.
It seems though that Sam Smith has repaid the BBC with threat of proceedings around the issue of pronouns. At the same time the public pronouncements,appearance and questionable wardrobe choices have served to lessen my affection for an artist who I previously looked forward to hearing about with genuine enthusiasm.
That said the write up was a complete mess and whilst it may take time for us, myself included, to adjust and to and accommodate shifting pronoun protocols, it is important that we can look to the likes of the BBC for a lead.
*Whilst respecting the wish of the artist to be referred to as
they I bracket
he since that was the pronoun applicable at that time to the output I enjoy.