Dive into the profound and dramatic world of Benjamin Britten's masterful opera, "Billy Budd," a timeless exploration of innocence, corruption, and the human condition. This 2008 release from Warner Classics captures the essence of Britten's genius, offering a rich and immersive experience that spans nearly three hours. The opera, originally composed in 1951, is brought to life with stunning clarity and depth, showcasing Britten's unique ability to blend neoclassical and choral elements into a cohesive and powerful narrative.
The album features a stellar cast, including Simon Keenlyside and Philip Langridge, who deliver captivating performances that bring the complex characters of "Billy Budd" to vivid life. The London Symphony Chorus and Tiffin Boys' School Choir provide a choral backdrop that is both haunting and beautiful, adding layers of richness to the opera's dramatic tension. Conducted by Richard Hickox, the performance is a testament to the precision and passion that Britten's work demands.
"Billy Budd" is set against the backdrop of a British naval ship in the late 18th century, where the innocent and stuttering sailor Billy Budd finds himself entangled in a web of jealousy and deceit orchestrated by the malevolent Master-at-Arms, John Claggart. The opera's themes of good versus evil, and the consequences of unchecked power, resonate deeply, making it a timeless piece of art.
This recording, released on September 12, 2008, is a must-listen for fans of classical opera and those who appreciate the intricate beauty of Britten's compositions. The album's meticulous production and the exceptional performances make it a standout in the genre, offering a compelling and unforgettable listening experience. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to Britten's work, "Billy Budd" is sure to captivate and inspire.
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Prologue: "I Am an Old Man" (Vere)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "Pull, My Bantams!" (First Mate, Sailors, Second Mate, Flint, Bosun, Midshipmen, Donald, Novice, Maintop, Squeak)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Adam Green, Andrew Kennedy, Andrew Tortise, Daniel Teadt, Darren Jeffery, Jonathan Lemalu, London Symphony Chorus, Mark Stone, St Luke's Youth Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "Boat Ahoy" (Maintop, Midshipmen, Flint, Redburn, Bosun, Ratcliffe, Claggart)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Andrew Staples, Gidon Saks, Jonathan Lemalu, Mark Stone, Matthew Rose, Neal Davies, St Luke's Youth Choir, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "First Man Forward! (Claggart, Red Whiskers, Redburn, Flint, Jones)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Alasdair Elliott, Gidon Saks, Jonathan Lemalu, Neal Davies, Roderick Williams, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "Your Name? Billy Budd, Sir" (Claggart, Billy, Redburn, Flint)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Gidon Saks, Jonathan Lemalu, Nathan Gunn, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "Billy Budd, King of the Birds!" (Billy, Sailors, Flint, Redburn, Ratcliffe, Claggart)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Gidon Saks, Jonathan Lemalu, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Rose, Nathan Gunn, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "I Heard Your Honour!" (Claggart, Squeak, Novice's Friend)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Andrew Tortise, Gidon Saks, Roderick Williams, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "Come Along Kid! Come Along!" (Novice's Friend, Novice, Sailors)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Andrew Kennedy, London Symphony Chorus, Roderick Williams, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "Christ! The Poor Chap" (Billy, Dansker, Red Whiskers, Donald)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Alasdair Elliott, Daniel Teadt, Matthew Best, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "What's That? What's Those Whistles?" (Billy, Donald, Claggart, First Mate, Second Mate, Bosun)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Adam Green, Daniel Teadt, Darren Jeffery, Gidon Saks, Mark Stone, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 1: "Starry Vere We Call Him" (Donald, Billy, Sailors, Red Whiskers, Dansker, Bosun)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Alasdair Elliott, Daniel Teadt, London Symphony Chorus, Mark Stone, Matthew Best, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 2: "Boy! Yes Sir!" (Vere, Boy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Hugo Shepherd, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 2: "Mr Redburn and Mr Flint, Sir!" (Boy, Vere, Redburn, Flint)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Hugo Shepherd, Ian Bostridge, Jonathan Lemalu, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 2: "Ay, at Spithead the Men May Have Had Their Grievances" (Vere)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 2: "We Are, Sir, Claggart Is an Able One" (Redburn, Vere, Flint, Sailors, Ratcliffe)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, Jonathan Lemalu, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Rose, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 3: "Blow Her Away, Blow Her to Hilo" (Red Whiskers, Sailors, Billy, Donald, Dansker)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Alasdair Elliott, Daniel Teadt, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Best, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 3: "Here, Lads! Here! Come Here!" (Donald, Red Whiskers, Sailors, Billy, Dansker)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Alasdair Elliott, Daniel Teadt, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Best, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 3: "Hi! You" (Billy, Dansker, Red Whiskers, Donald, Sailors, Squeak, Claggart, Boy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Alasdair Elliott, Andrew Tortise, Daniel Teadt, Gidon Saks, Hugo Shepherd, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Best, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 3: "Over the Water, over the Ocean" (Sailors, Claggart)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Gidon Saks, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 3: "Come Here, Remember Your Promise" (Claggart, Novice)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Andrew Kennedy, Gidon Saks, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 3: "Billy! Hist! Billy Budd!" (Novice, Billy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Andrew Kennedy, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 1, Scene 3: "Dansker, Old Friend, Glad to See You!" (Billy, Dansker)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Matthew Best, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 1: "I Don't Like the Look of the Mist" (Vere, Redburn)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 1: "Well, What Is It, Master-at-Arms? " (Vere, Claggart)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Gidon Saks, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 1: "Deck Ahoy! Enemy Sail on Starboard Bow!" (Maintop, Bosun, Flint, Redburn, Ratcliffe, Sailors, Vere)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Andrew Staples, Ian Bostridge, Jonathan Lemalu, London Symphony Chorus, Mark Stone, Matthew Rose, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 1: "Volunteers! Call for Boarding Volunteers!" (Vere, Redburn, Donald, Red Whiskers, Dansker, Sailors, Billy, Maintop, Ratcliffe)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Alasdair Elliott, Andrew Staples, Daniel Teadt, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Best, Matthew Rose, Nathan Gunn, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 1: "There You Are Again, Master-at-Arms" (Vere, Claggart, Boy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Gidon Saks, Hugo Shepherd, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 1: "O This Cursed Mist" (Vere, Redburn, Ratcliffe, Flint)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 2: "Claggart, John Claggart, Beware!" (Vere, Billy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 2: "Master-at-Arms and Foretopman" (Vere, Claggart, Billy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Gidon Saks, Ian Bostridge, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 2: "God o' Mercy!" (Vere, Boy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Hugo Shepherd, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 2: "Gentlemen, William Budd Here Has Killed" (Vere, Redburn, Flint, Ratcliffe)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 2: "William Budd, You Are Accused" (Redburn, Vere, Billy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, Nathan Gunn, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 2: "Poor Fellow, Who Could Save Him?" (Redburn, Flint, Ratcliffe, Vere)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 2: "I Accept Their Verdict" (Vere)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 3: "Look! Through the Port Comes the Moonshine Astray!" (Billy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 3: "Here! Baby!" (Dansker, Billy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Matthew Best, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 3: "And Farewell to Ye, Old Rights o' Man!" (Billy)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Nathan Gunn, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 3: InterludeBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 4: "According to the Articles of War" (Redburn, Billy, Flint, Ratcliffe, Sailors)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Jonathan Lemalu, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Rose, Nathan Gunn, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Act 2, Scene 4: "Down All Hands!" (Redburn, Flint, Ratcliffe, a Sailor)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Jonathan Lemalu, London Symphony Chorus, Matthew Rose, Neal Davies, London Symphony Orchestra
Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50, Epilogue: "We Committed his Body to the Deep" (Vere)Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Ian Bostridge, London Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Britten, a titan of 20th-century British music, is celebrated for his profound contributions to opera, choral, and orchestral compositions. Born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in 1913, Britten began his musical journey at the tender age of six, with his first compositions published during his student years. His operatic works, such as the hauntingly powerful "Peter Grimes" and the poignant "Billy Budd," have earned him a place among the most prominent figures in modern opera, often drawing comparisons to Ralph Vaughan Williams. Britten's repertoire spans a wide range of genres, from enchanting operas to heartfelt choral masterpieces and orchestral gems like "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." His emotive and accessible compositions continue to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest British composers of his generation. Beyond his composing prowess, Britten was also a skilled conductor and pianist, and he served as the President of the Society of Recorder Players from 1958 until his passing in 1976.
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Benjamin Britten
