Peter Grimes - Benjamin Britten
Information about the opera Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Synopsis
The opera is about how a rough fisherman is cast out, and eventually driven to despair, by his local community.
Recommended recordings on CD
Hickox/Langridge/Watson (Chandos CHAN 9826)
The finest of the modern versions of this opera.
City of London Sinfonia, London Symphony Chorus, conducted by Richard Hickox, 1995.
Cast: Philip Langridge (Peter Grimes), Janice Watson (Ellen Orford), Alan Opie (Captain Balstrode), Pamela Helen Stephen (Auntie).
Chandos CHAN 9826
Britten/Pears/Watson (Decca 414 577-2)
The definitive recording, conducted by the composer, and with Sir Peter Pears in the title role written for him.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Britten, 1958.
Cast: Sir Peter Pears (Peter Grimes), Claire Watson (Ellen Orford), James Pease (Captain Balstrode), Jean Watson (Auntie).
Decca 414 577-2
Also included in the boxed set:
Britten Operas 1
Davis/Vickers/Harper (Philips 462 847-2)
A great recording.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, conducted by Sir Colin Davis, 1978.
Cast: Jon Vickers (Peter Grimes), Heather Harper (Ellen Orford), Jonathan Summers (Captain Balstrode), Elizabeth Bainbridge (Auntie).
Philips 462 847-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Ticciati/Graham-Hall/Gritton (Opus Arte OA 1103 D)
Ellen Orford tries to reason with Peter Grimes while the apprentice boy sits watching, in Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes.
Recorded at Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 2012 with an outstanding British cast. The setting is updated to the 1980s, and the staging directed by Richard Jones perfectly captures the oppressive atmosphere of life in a small English village.
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Robin Ticciati, 2012.
Cast: John Graham-Hall (Peter Grimes), Susan Gritton (Ellen Orford), Christopher Purves (Captain Balstrode), Felicity Palmer (Auntie).
Opus Arte OA 1103 D
Atherton/Langridge/Cairns (Arthaus Musik 100 382)
Recorded live at the Coliseum in London.
English National Opera Chorus, English National Opera Orchestra, conducted by David Atherton, 1994.
Cast: Philip Langridge (Peter Grimes), Janice Cairns (Ellen Orford), Alan Opie (Captain Balstrode).
Arthaus Musik 100 382