Peter Grimes

Synopsis

This 1969 BBC production is about as close as we can get to a definitive version of Benjamin Britten's PETER GRIMES, one of the greatest 20th Century operas. The story of the individualistic fisherman hounded by his neighbors who believe he murdered his young apprentice packs tremendous emotional power. The compelling narrative is richly enhanced by its subtexts: the lone outsider versus the conformist mob; the dreamer of improbable dreams that lead to tragedy; the artist (dreamer) versus the Philistines, and the homosexual overtones of Grimes' abuse of his child apprentices. Britten is conductor of his work and tenor Peter Pears is Grimes, 25 years after he created the title role at the opera's premiere. As the widow Ellen Orford, soprano Heather Harper is magnificent. Best of all, the sea is an ever-present actor here. When we don't see it in the background it exerts its presence in the abundant visual references to nets, barrels, and other paraphernalia of a seaside fishing village.

Main Cast

Peter Pears

Peter Grimes

Age : 75 | Popularity : 3%

Heather Harper

Ellen Orford

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Bryan Drake

Captain Balstrode

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Elizabeth Bainbridge

Auntie

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Crew

Department	Role	Name
Sound	Conductor	Benjamin Britten
	Music Score Producer	Benjamin Britten
Art	Production Design	David Myerscough-Jones
Directing	Director	Brian Large
Production	Producer	John Culshaw
Writing	Writer	Montagu Slater
Department	Role	Name

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