Several decades have passed since mid-20th century operas by Britten, Stravinsky, Poulenc and Floyd, among others, were composed. Several of these works have a substantial performance history, with productions mounted at companies throughout the world. At some opera houses, over the past several decades, there have been three or more new productions of at least one opera that was created in the 1940s, 50s or 60s.
Even so, very few operas from this period are done frequently. The ultimate survivors appear to be the operas of Benjamin Britten, with at least two works (“Billy Budd” and “Peter Grimes”) contending to become repertory standards and another two (“Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Death in Venice”) having received sufficient attention of enough of the world’s major opera companies that they no longer can be deemed unfamiliar works.
Over the next year this website will feature a special series on upcoming Britten opera performances in companies that we visit regularly. In addition, we expect to schedule at least one European new production of a Britten work. Here are some of the places on our list of places we hope and expect to go.
Billy Budd (Britten), Santa Fe Opera, July 12, 16, 25, 31; August 6, 14 and 21, 2008
Paul Curran directs Britten’s insightful transformation of the Herman Melville novella, with an extraordinary cast.
New Zealander Teddy Tahu Rhodes is Billy, the force of good, Peter Rose is Claggart, the force of evil, and William Burden is Captain Vere, an intellectual seafarer who understands that with Claggart’s unintended death at Billy’s hands, good has triumphed over evil, even though he must condemn Billy to death.
[Below: Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Billy Budd; edited image of a Ken Howard photograph, courtesy of Santa Fe Opera.]
Two lustrous international stars of past years – Richard Stilwell (Mr Redburn) and Timothy Nolen (Mr Flint) bring their experience to the subsidiary officer roles of the man-o-war Indomitable. Keith Jameson is the Novice, Lucas Meachem is Donald and Thomas Hammons is Dansker. Edo de Waart conducts.
For the performance review, see: Superlative: Original 1951 “Billy Budd” Catches the Santa Fe Wind – August 14, 2008
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten), Houston Grand Opera, January 23, 25, 31; February 4 and 6, 2009
The second work visited in a five-year Britten cycle (following last season’s “Billy Budd”), Houston Grand Opera is launching a new Neil Armfield production (with the Canadian Opera Company) of this magical opera based on the Bard’s cherished play. The sets and costumes are by Dale Ferguson in his first HGO assignment.
[Below: Queen Tytania (Laura Claycomb) is surrounded by attendant fairies; edited image, based on a Felix Sanchez photograph, courtesy of Houston Grand Opera.]
Website favorite Laura Claycomb is Tytania, with Welsh counter-tenor Iestyn Davies as Oberon. Norman Reinhardt, Liam Bonner, Katie van Kooten and Marie Lenormand play the mortal couples and Matthew Rose is the scheduled Bottom. Patrick Summers will conduct. When it shows in Toronto in an eight performance run from May 5 through May 23, an entirely different cast will be assembled.
For the performance review, see: Incandescent Houston “Midsummer Night’s Dream” – January 25, 2009
Peter Grimes (Britten), Washington National Opera, March 21, 23, 26, 29, April 1 and 4, 2009
Britten’s masterpiece is about a loner fisherman distrusted and judged by his seafaring community. Paul Curran (director) and Robert Innes Hopkins (Set Design) collaborate for Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center. Ilan Volkov will conduct. The cast is led by Christopher Ventris as Grimes, Patricia Racette as Ellen Orford and Alan Held as Balstrode. David Cangelosi will be Bob Boles.
Peter Grimes (Britten), San Diego Opera, April 18, 21, 24 and 26
Two distinguished colleagues of Britten, Conductor Steuart Bedford and Stage Director John Copley bring authenticity to San Diego Opera’s Grimes. Anthony Dean Griffey is the tortured fisherman, Rod Gilfrey is Balstrode and Jennifer Casey Cabot is Ellen Orford. Judith Christin (Auntie), John Del Carlo (Swallow) and Greg Fedderly (Bob Boles) are announced for key comprimario roles.
[Below: Ellen Orford (Jennifer Cabot) searches the sea in Carl Toms’ sets for Peter Grimes; edited image, based on a Ken Howard photograph, courtesy of San Diego Opera.]
For Tom’s performance review, see: Anthony Dean Griffey Wows San Diego In a Riveting “Peter Grimes” – April 24, 2009
Death in Venice (Britten), Hamburg State Opera, April 19, 22, 28, 29, May 2, 5 and 10
Thomas Mann’s novel is sensitively transformed into Britten’s last major opera, in a new production at the Hamburgische Staatsoper. Michael Schade is Aschenbach and Nmon Ford is the Traveler. The production is by Ramin Gray (of London’s Royal Court Theatre) with sets by Jeremy Herbert. Simone Young conducts.
[Below: Aschenbach (Michael Schade) is increasingly obsessed with the boy Tadzio (Gabriele Frola, front right), here on the Venice beach with a companion; edited image, based on a Joerg Landsberg photograph, courtesy of Hamburg Staatsoper.]
For the performance review, see: Michael Schade, Nmon Ford, Gabriele Frola Brilliant in Hamburg’s New “Death in Venice” – April 19, 2009