Benjamin Britten: Billy Budd

Benjamin Britten: Billy Budd Op. 50
Libretto by E.M Forster and Eric Crozier
From the short story by Herman Melville: Billy Budd, Sailor. An Inside narrative.
Version in four acts created on December 1, 1951
Version (final) in two acts created on January 9, 1964
Director: Deborah Warner
Scenography: Michael Levine
Costumes: Chloe Obolensky
Lights: Jean Kalman
Choreography: Kim Brandstrup
Billy Budd: Jacques Imbrailo
Edward Fairfax Vere: Toby Spence
John ClaggartBrindley Sherratt
Mr. Redburn: Thomas Oliemans
Mr. Flint: David Soar
Lieutenant Ratcliffe: Torben Jürgens
Red Whiskers: Christopher Gillet
Donald: Duncan Rock
Dansker: Clive Bayley
A newbie: Sam Furness
Squeak: Francisco Vas
Bosun: Manel Esteve
First Mate: Gerardo Bullon
Second Mate: Tomeu Bibiloni
The Novice's Friend: Borja Quiza
Lookout: Jordi Casanova
Arthur Jones: Isaac Galan
Pequeños Cantores de la Comunidad de Madrid (direction Ana González)
Chorus of the Teatro Real (conducted by Andrés Máspero
Teatro Real Orchestra
Musical direction: Ivor Bolton

[@jamesrouillardjas1671]

Stunning production. Likely the best version I have yet seen. Britten’s music never disappoints. Thanks for this brilliant take!! The contemporary costuming adds timely relevance.
I wrote the above without having finished watching.Now, l must add: The production has brought out beauties in the opera l have never before seen. I can only thank you beyond words…

[@barbaranorthwood]

I shall come back to this often. A most powerful and impressive production. Thank you very much.

[@user-dq6ir3sc1m]

Beau spectacle, chanteurs qui sont aussi de bons acteurs ,direction musicale à la hauteur.

[@lomfidi]

Magnificent production. Great singing and acting. The horror of our reality on a silver platter

[@mamascarlatti]

Wow this is such an amazingly powerful production of Billy Budd. Toby Spence is the best Vere I have ever seen, but the whole cast were absolutely convincing.

[@megalomaniacko1]

Toby did a great job but one cannot make such a statement. Sir Peter Pears will be always be the best Vere, the best Grimes, and the best ever. Britten composed all those characters considering exclusively his pintch and voice.

[@GaryNReese]

I agree to a certain extent. It may not be fair to posterity, yet Pears is the standard for those of us who were alive when he held sway over this role created for him. As well, those who had personal memories of Pears and Britten's grand collaboration and marriage. But, to be truly great and enduring, great music must attract new great interpreters who bring new and fascinating viewpoints to masterpieces. Otherwise, the vibrantly alive performing art of opera and its masterpieces like "Billy Budd" become nothing more than an extravagant form of taxidermy.

[@franzberndmitterer]

Meine erste Oper in Wien , im Chor damals .

[@paulmarcusson2217]

What the heck happens at 2:46:52 ?! That's not how it is scored....

[@andreslinarescapel6236]

Portentoso

[@miguelagh2000]

Do you have the production of I Puritani with Damrau and Camarena?

[@alteamedia]

Hello… Yes and it’s online on the channel