Benjamin Britten Opera Peter Grimes

Classical Music / Opera

The libretto of Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes is adapted by Montagu Slater from the narrative poem of the same name, 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.

The opera, briefly.  Peter Grimes is a fisherman, living in a small Suffolk town. After the death of his young apprentice at sea, he is summoned to court as the townspeople are convinced that Grimes is to blame, but he is let off with a caution, and warned not to take another apprentice.

Peter Grimes was first performed at Sadler's Wells in London on 7 June 1945, conducted by Reginald Goodall.  Still widely performed worldwide, it was the first of Britten's operas to be a critical and popular success. In addition, the Four Sea Interludes were published separately as Op. 33a, and are frequently performed as an orchestral suite.  The "Passacaglia" was also published separately as Op. 33b, also often performed, either together with the Sea Interludes or by itself.

Suggested Listening:

Britten's Peter Grimes with Sir Peter Pears-Claire Watson-Geraint Evans, Covent Garden (1958). Chorus of the Royal Opera House,  Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Conducted by Britten himself.


Here's the "Four Sea Interludes, Op 33a" performed by the Cincinatti Symphony Orchestra, condcuted by  Paavo Järvi.  (Four Sea Interludes from "Peter Grimes", Op. 33a:  I. Dawn II. Sunday Morning III. Moonlight and IV. Storm)




Trivia:

This year 2019, Britten's Peter Grimes in Concert is presented by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for two nights at 7pm, Thursday, July 25 and Saturday, July 27, Sydney Opera House.

Artists:  David Robertson, conductor;  Stuart Skelton, Peter Grimes; Nicole Car, Ellen Orford; Alan Held, Captain Balstrode; Deborah Humble, Auntie; Jacqueline Porter, Niece 1; Cleo Lee-McGowan, Niece 2; Christopher Richardson, Swallow; Elizabeth Campbell, Mrs (Nabob) Sedley; Michael Honeyman, Ned Keene; Robert Macfarlane, Bob Boles; John Longmuir, Rev. Horace Adams; Jud Arthur, Hobson; and  Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Review from Limelight Magazine: Britten's Peter Grimes in Concert (Sydney Symphony Orchestra). Accessed July 26, 2019.

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Plot Synopsis and Character Description of an English Drama 

Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes 

© Tel Asiado, written for Suite101.com,  Nov 11, 2008

Peter Grimes, an English tragic drama by Benjamin Britten: opera plot summary, character list, and other Britten opera information.

Benjamin Britten (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976) composed Peter Grimes in three acts and a prologue. Libretto was written by Montagu Slater after George Crabbe's poem "The Borough." It was premiered at Sadler's Wells, London, on June 7, 1945. The setting is at The Borough, a fictional small fishing-town on the East Coast, towards 1830.   

Notable arias: "Now the Great Bear" (Grimes) and "Embroidery" (Ellen)

This opera, Britten's first, won instant success and wide recognition. Much of its music makes a ready appeal and it is descended from 19^th century peasant opera yet vividly illustrating a realistic and moving story constructed with a strong sense of the stage. 

Character Roles of Peter Grimes 

Peter Grimes,    A fisherman (Tenor)

Ellen Orford,    A widow, schoolmistress of the Borough (Soprano)

Captain Balstrode,    Retired merchant skipper (Baritone)

Auntie,    Landlady of The Boar (Contralto)

Her Two Nieces,    Main attractions of The Boar (Sopranos)

Bob Boles,    Fisherman and Methodist (Tenor)

Swallow,    A lawyer (Bass)

Mrs Sedley,    A widow of an East India Company's factor (Mezzo-soprano)

Rev. Horace Adams,    The rector (Tenor)

Ned Keene,    Apothecary and quack (Baritone)

Hobson,    Carrier (Bass)

John, The boy,    Grimes' new apprentice (Speaking bit)

Plot / Synopsis of Peter Grimes

There's a Prologue and an orchestral "sea" interludes between scenes.

Prologue.  A Room Inside the Moot Hall.

Swallow is presiding at the inquest, attended by hostile townspeople, about Grimes' apprentice who died at sea. After the facts are established, Swallow gives a verdict of accidental death. Grimes seeks an opportunity to refute the hostile group.  

Act I. The Beach and Street in the morning, and at The Boar that Night 

Scene 1. The Beach and Street on a Morning

Fishermen and their women sing at work. Peter calls for help in hauling his boat. No one is willing to help until Balstrode and Keene give a hand. Keene tells Grimes that he has found him a new apprentice. Ellen volunteers to look after the boy. Balstrode observes that a storm is approaching and advises Grimes to get away to sea, but Grimes believes the sea is his "home" and is determined to silence the gossip about the previous apprentice who died. He wants to continue fishing until he is wealthy and marry Ellen.

Scene 2.  Inside The Boar that Night

News is brought that the cliff is down by Grimes' hut. When Grimes enters The Boar, everyone tries to avoid him. Hobson, Ellen and the new apprentice arrive, all wet. Grimes wants to go for the sea at once.

Act II. At the Beach Some Night Later, then at Grimes' Hut   

Scene 1. The Beach and Street on a Sunday Morning

Ellen talks to the silent apprentice as villagers enter the church. She talks about her fondness for children and hopes that Grimes makes a new start. Her thoughts are dashed when she finds that the boy's coat is torn and his neck bruised. She reminds him that he is overworking the boy and if it's worth to live by lonely toil. Grimes gets furious and strikes her. He then goes off with the boy and Ellen departs in tears. The rector and Swallow lead a threatening procession of men to Grimes' hut.

Scene 2.  Peter's Hut, an Upturned Boat

Grimes bullies John. He dreams of life with Ellen. When he hears the sound of the approaching procession, he hustles the boy down to the boat. Just as there is knocking on the door, the boy falls down the cliff. Balstrode enters and discovers what has happened.

Act III. At the Moot Hall, later, at the Beach 

Scene 1.   At the Moot Hall

There is a dance in the Moot hall and Swallow flirts with Auntie's nieces. Mrs. Sedley takes Keene aside and insists John has been murdered, neither he nor Grimes having been seen for days. Keene ignores her. Mrs Sedley eavesdrops while Balstrode and Ellen discuss Grimes' arrival. His boat has been in for an hour, but they cannot find him and the boy. Mrs Sedley rouses Swallow and Hobson to look for Grimes.

Scene 2.   At the Beach

Balstrode finds Grimes who struggles in, quite demented and tells him to take his boat out and sink it. Grimes does.

As the day dawns, the orchestra softly resumes the music of the first Interlude while Grimes' boat sinks far out at sea.      

 

Resources:

Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997

Morley, Sir Alexander F. Harrap Opera Guide. London: Harrap, 1970

Riding, Alan and L.D. Downer. Opera. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2006
Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition. London: Macmillan Publishers, 2000. 


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Video Credit:

Benjamin Britten - Four Sea Interludes from his opera Peter Grimes. YouTube, uploaded by miljkmi. Accessed June 7, 2013.


Resource:


Benjamin Britten's Opera Peter Grimes. en.wikipedia.org. Accessed June 7, 2008.


(c) June 7, 2013. Updated July 26, 2019.  Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.