Britten - Billy Budd - Mackerras Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Brilliant

This was a film version of the opera. I don't always go for film versions of operas, they often leave much to be desired. But this one was superb, I thought better than a stage version. It has a wonderful cast including Peter Pears and Peter Glossop and other big names of the 70s. Charles Mackerras was the conductor and musically it was an excellent performance. All in black and white but this seems appropriate for this particular story.

Now for the opera itself. If you are into Brittens music then I reckon this is one of his best. However for some his music is not that accessible and I recommend starting with Peter Grimes. It has taken me a number of hearings to really appreciate this opera, Now it is one of my 5 star operas. The story is very moving and really portrays the hard life led by sailors in the Napoleonic Wars and the music also portrays all this very movingly. Once you are into it a wonderful experience.