BaL 26.01.13 - Britten's Billy Budd

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As part of Britten 100, Piers Burton-Page makes a personal recommendation from recordings of Britten's opera Billy Budd.


Available versions:-


ENO Chorus and Orchestra, David Atherton - DVD
LSO, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Benjamin Britten
Royal Opera House Orchestra & Chorus, Benjamin Britten
Glyndebourne Chorus & LPO - CD
Glyndebourne Chorus & LPO, Mark Elder – DVD/Blu-ray
LSO & Chorus, Daniel Harding
LSO & Chorus, Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Richard Hickox
LSO, Sir Charles Mackerras - CD
LSO, Sir Charles Mackerras - DVD
Halle Orchestra, Kent Nagano
Vienna State Opera Orchestra & Chorus, Donald Runnicles

[Barbirollians]

PBP of " Ida Haendel did not even make the programme for Britten's Violin Concerto" infamy

[Beef Oven]

As part of Britten 100, Piers Burton-Page makes a personal recommendation from recordings of Britten's opera Billy Budd.


Available versions:-


ENO Chorus and Orchestra, David Atherton - DVD
LSO, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Benjamin Britten
Royal Opera House Orchestra & Chorus, Benjamin Britten
Glyndebourne Chorus & LPO - CD
Glyndebourne Chorus & LPO, Mark Elder – DVD/Blu-ray
LSO & Chorus, Daniel Harding
LSO & Chorus, Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Richard Hickox
LSO, Sir Charles Mackerras - CD
LSO, Sir Charles Mackerras - DVD
Halle Orchestra, Kent Nagano
Vienna State Opera Orchestra & Chorus, Donald Runnicles

I have the Nagano, are any others the original 4 act?

[Belgrove]

I have the Harding (which was cheap), but it does not really get out of the harbour. Hickox, with the distinct advantage of Keenlyside in the lead role, was expensive by comparison. I was tempted only today by the Glyndebourne set, the revival of which I will be attending in the summer. That production by opera newcomer Michael Grandage received uniformly fulsome praise. So this is a timely BAL.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I have the Nagano, are any others the original 4 act?

IIRC, the Britten/ROH recording was from a Live performance of the original production.

[Beef Oven]

IIRC, the Britten/ROH recording was from a Live performance of the original production.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have all Britten's operas in 3 amazingly cheap Decca box sets "Britten conducts Britten Operas".

[Beef Oven]

I have all Britten's operas in 3 amazingly cheap Decca box sets "Britten conducts Britten Operas".

I haven't, and they cost me a small fortune

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I haven't, and they cost me a small fortune

The drawback with the bargain sets is the lack of libretti - not too big a sacrifice for eras in English, but still regrettable.

[Beef Oven]

The drawback with the bargain sets is the lack of libretti - not too big a sacrifice for eras in English, but still regrettable.

True, but nowdays with the internet you can follow the libretto on your iPhone, Ipad or laptop while you are listening.

[Nick Armstrong]

Hickox, with the distinct advantage of Keenlyside in the lead role, was expensive by comparison. I was tempted only today by the Glyndebourne set, the revival of which I will be attending in the summer. That production by opera newcomer Michael Grandage received uniformly fulsome praise.

That Budd production at G'bourne was the last opera I saw. It was ok... I found the set pieces a little stilted... but the solo scenes, esp Billy imprisoned, were very affecting. Ainsley as Vere did not convince, however.

On CD I find I have Britten's own performance, plus Hickox & Nagano. I'll be interested to be reminded of them by PB-P in this BAL

I also have a DVD of David Atherton's performance with Thomas Allen as Billy plus Langridge...

The 1966 BBC production conducted by Charles Mackerras, with Peter Pears, is available complete here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1lVBfqQyjs

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

True, but nowdays with the internet you can follow the libretto on your iPhone, Ipad or laptop while you are listening.

If you have one and if they are charged up. In fact my battery is just goin

[EdgeleyRob]

I have the Nagano, are any others the original 4 act?

That's the one I have,it's fantastic.
I think I'll give it a spin this weekend.

[Beef Oven]

If you have one and if they are charged up. In fact my battery is just goin

[Beef Oven]

That's the one I have,it's fantastic.
I think I'll give it a spin this weekend.

This reminder has prompted me to play Act1 without any further dely!