Billy Budd - English National Opera 1988

Billy Budd is Britten's gripping opera of persecution and injustice aboard a British man o' war. This acclaimed 1988 production by the English National Opera captures the stark drama of Herman Melville's literary masterpiece. It is the tale of a young seaman, Billy Budd, persecuted malevolently by his master-at-arms, Claggart. Unjustly accused of mutiny, Billy accidentally strikes Claggart dead and the tormented Captain Vere has no option but to hang him.

The opera explores many universal themes - the individual at odds with society, the corruption of innocence, the continual conflict of good and evil - themes explored in much of Britten's dramatic music.

Britain's leading operatic baritone Thomas Allen conveys perfectly the naive and virtuous Billy Budd "…a warm, beautifully rounded portrait of an impossibly perfect hero." (Guardian). Philip Langridge's Vere "…is a supreme performance, eloquent in every syllable…" (The Times) and Richard Van Allan as Claggart "…is a chilling presence whenever he is onstage…" (Opera Now).

Cast
Thomas Allen……………Billy Budd
Philip Langridge……….Captain Vere
Richard Van Allan…….John Claggart
Neil Howlett…………….Mr. Redburn
Phillip Guy-Bromley…..Mr. Flint
Clive Bayley…………….Mr. Ratcliffe
Edward Byles…………..Red Whiskers
Mark Richardson……….Donald
John Connell…………….Dansker
Barry Banks……………..Novice
Howard Milner………….Squeak
Malcolm Rivers………….Bosun




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