What is Peter Grimes based on?
We know that Benjamin Britten composed Peter Grimes, with a libretto by Montagu Slater, based on George Crabbe’s poem The Borough and that its first performances in June 1945 at Sadler’s Wells theatre in London established Britten as the first major English operatic composer since Purcell and, if we accept him as a …
Who created Peter Grimes?
Benjamin Britten
Peter Grimes is an opera by Benjamin Britten. It was first performed in 1945. It is generally thought to be the most important British opera of the 20th century. It is about a community in a small fishing village in the east of England in the 1820s.
When was Peter Grimes composed?
1945
Peter Grimes/Written
Is Peter Grimes a good opera?
Britten’s Peter Grimes premiered in 1945, when the composer was 31. It is considered the great English opera of the 20th century. Regardless of the subject matter, Britten’s music is astounding. His use of the orchestra to depict the sea as an extra character in the drama shows his mastery.
What are the 4 Sea Interludes?
In addition, the Four Sea Interludes, consisting of the first, third, fifth and second interludes from the opera, were published separately (as Op. 33a) and are frequently performed as an orchestral suite. The fourth interlude, the Passacaglia was also published separately (as Op.
Where does Peter Grimes take place?
Aldeburgh
Peter Grimes takes place in a supposedly generalised “The Borough, a small fishing town on the East Coast [of England]”, but in reality, it is set specifically in Aldeburgh, a real town that Britten grew up near and later lived by.
What kind of music did Benjamin Britten write?
Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten OM CH (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He was a central figure of 20th-century British music, with a range of works including opera, other vocal music, orchestral and chamber pieces.
What instruments are used in Peter Grimes?
Instrumentation: 2 flute (both double piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (2nd doubles Eb clarinet), 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, chimes, xylophone, snare drum, tambourine, cymbals, gong, bass drum, harp, strings. Duration: 16 minutes in four movements.
Was Benjamin Britten a conscientious objector?
A pacifist, Britten left for the United States, with his partner, the tenor Peter Pears, in 1939, following the example of WH Auden. “Britten was a pacifist and a conscientious objector.
Who did Britten dedicate the work to?
9. A special dedication. Britten dedicated his 1957 opera Noye’s Fludde to Sally and her brother. “And we were so proud of that, as you can imagine,” she told Joan Bakewell, “Even today, you know…as I’m telling you, I feel so proud!”
Who is the composer of the opera Peter Grimes?
Peter Grimes is an opera by Benjamin Britten, with a libretto adapted by Montagu Slater from the narrative poem, “Peter Grimes,” in George Crabbe’s book The Borough. The “borough” of the opera is a fictional village which shares some similarities with Crabbe’s, and later Britten’s, own home of Aldeburgh, a town on England’s east coast.
When was the world premiere of Peter Grimes?
“At the dress rehearsal I thought the whole thing would be a disaster,” recalled Benjamin Britten, referring to the world premiere of Peter Grimes. When the final curtain fell on June 7, 1945, at the old Sadler’s Wells theater in London, silence followed by shouting filled the hall.
Who is the schoolmistress that Peter Grimes wants to marry?
As the court is cleared, Ellen Orford, the schoolmistress whom Grimes wishes to marry as soon as he gains the Borough’s respect, attempts to comfort Grimes as he rages against what he sees as the community’s unwillingness to give him a true second chance.
Who was inspired to write the poem Peter Grimes?
Benjamin Britten was inspired to write Peter Grimes after reading George Crabbe’s 1810 poem The Borough concerning a sadistic, almost psychopathic fisherman and his relationship with the community where he lived.