Britten: Billy Budd

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION


Glyndebourne has a proud association with the operas of Benjamin Britten, however until 2010 had never staged Billy Budd. The all-male opera with a libretto co-written by E.M. Forster, is based on the battle between pure good and blind evil, and is set on a British man-‘o-war ship.
Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, chose this work to make his long-awaited operatic debut. Sir Mark Elder returned to conduct, marking the 100th opera production in his illustrious career.


PRESS REVIEWS


"Elder's unerring sense of theatre puts him absolutely at one with the stage in every episode. He's clearly the guiding spirit of this Billy Budd. The production has been directed with laudable unobtrusiveness by Michael Grandage.Video director Francois Rousillon does exceptional work here, with the precision of HD a constant pleasure. Opus Arte's recorded sound is superb." (International Record Review)
".this is the most compelling Billy Budd." (BBC Music Magazine)
" John Mark Ainsley gets to the heart of Vere, every close-up showing an artist immersed in his role." (Gramophone)
"[Imbrailo] is as ardent and puppyish as you could wish.the London Philharmonic revel in the baleful drums, salty woodwinds, and dark beauty of Britten's score. On DVD as much as in the opera house, this is a Billy Budd to remember.
" (The Times ★★★★)
"the realisation of the decks of a man-o’-war seem even more claustrophobic than it was at Glyndebourne. The casting is immaculate, the choral singing is overpowering, and you can almost feel the salt spray flying off Mark Elder's magnificent conducting.
" (The Daily Telegraph)
Cast
John Mark Ainsley (Captain Vere)
Jacques Imbrailo (Billy Budd)
Philip Ens (Claggart)
London Philharmonic Orchestra; Mark Elder

Stage Director: Michael Grandage
Catalogue Number: OABD7086D
Date of Performance: 2010
Running Time: 175 minutes
Sound: 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS
Aspect Ratio: 1080i High Definition / 16:9
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, ES
Label: Opus Arte



REVIEW
This is the most compelling Billy Budd available on video,and superb in Blu-ray. Perfomance ***** Picture and Sound ***** BBC MUSIC DVD CHOICE --BBC Music Magazine,July'11

Mark Elder has proven with Peter Grimes and Gloriana that the large-scale Britten operas suit him marvellously.This Billy Budd is a similarly immense achievement,clearly recognized as such in the ovations accorded Elder by the Glyndebourne audience. --IRR,July/Aug'11

With the LPO on top form,Mark Elder conducts a performance of impeccable class which never takes the drama to the edge. --Gramophone,Sept'11

Audio Languages: English, English, English

Number of Discs: 1

Subtitle Languages: English, French, German, Spanish

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