Billy Budd at Glyndebourne

[verismissimo]

... It is, as the Magi may say, a 'satisfactory' and lasting tribute to Britten.

Not sure Eliot was an admirer of Ben.

[Belgrove]

I'm delighted that you and Mrs B-o-D enjoyed the show; it really is out of the top draw. How was Le nozze di Figaro?

I think Glyndebourne has produced one of its evergreen productions (like the Hockney Rakes Progress) that will be revived every decade or so as new interpreters of the roles come to the fore. It is of a style that will not date.

Mary, do catch the Prom performance to hear Mark Padmore even if the opportunity to see him in the theatre is not available to you.

[Stephen Smith]

I went on Thursday (and I went 2 years ago as well) - production, musical direction and playing, vocally (chorus, soloists) - magnificent. To appreciate the great performance of Mark Padmore is not to downplay John Mark Ainsley's achievement first time round. Brindley Sherrat - solid, secure, very dark, another highlight. Jacques Imbrailo as lyrical and dramatically successful as before. Not a weak link. Warm end to a sunny day, not too much wind on the lawn for the long interval.... A day to remember

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I saw Billy Budd yesterday, along with Wakening Shadow beforehand. Travelling on the staff minibus, one of the cast members was saying how quickly this run is going and how they wished they had more than a few performances left. If you can't get to Glyndebourne, do try the Prom instead.

It's been a hectic writing day - I was reviewing The Midsummer Marriage on Friday as well - but reviews are now online:

Billy Budd: http://www.opera-britannia.com/index...iews&Itemid=16

Wakening Shadow: http://www.opera-britannia.com/index...iews&Itemid=16

[jean]

I saw it in the cinema this afternoon and found it utterly overwhelming.

But I wonder why Glyndebourne find it appropriate to start playing interval-Mozart the minute the last note of the first half falls silent?

[bluestateprommer]

Zachary Woolfe of the NYT has this article on Mark Padmore, in advance of the Glyndebourne production of Billy Budd being presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music starting tonight, for 4 performances:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/arts/music/billy-budd-an-unusual-foray-for-mark-padmore.html

If nothing else, the article title is droll.

[amateur51]

Zachary Woolfe of the NYT has this article on Mark Padmore, in advance of the Glyndebourne production of Billy Budd being presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music starting tonight, for 4 performances:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/arts/music/billy-budd-an-unusual-foray-for-mark-padmore.html

If nothing else, the article title is droll.

I was interested to read that Mark Padmore dug deep into E M Forster's literary works and biography in trying to come to terms with performing in Billy Budd. I wonder if we'll ever hear about his conclusions.

[David-G]

Zachary Woolfe of the NYT has this article on Mark Padmore, in advance of the Glyndebourne production of Billy Budd being presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music starting tonight, for 4 performances:

Interesting. Thank you for posting this.

[bluestateprommer]

Thread bump/revival for the quarantine-era Glyndebourne stream of Billy Budd.