Billy Budd is an English language opera by Benjamin Britten, first performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on December 1, 1951. It is based on the novel Billy Budd by Herman Melville. Benjamin Britten met E. M. Forster an established lecturer, who had discussed the novel Billy Budd in his Clark lectures at Cambridge University. Having met Benjamin Britten before the Second World War, the two built up a friendship, and in 1948 the question arose of Forster providing a libretto for Britten, and in November, Britten seems to have mentioned the opera Billy Budd as a possibility. A month later it was decided that Forster, with the help of Eric Crozier should write the libretto. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh, OM (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976) was a British composer, conductor and pianist. ... The Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a performing arts venue in London. ... Covent Garden is a district in central London and within the easterly bounds of the City of Westminster. ... The Houses of Parliament and the clock tower containing Big Ben Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Billy Budd is a short novel finished around 1891 by Herman Melville. ... Herman Melville Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, essayist, and poet. ... E. M. Forster E.M. Forster should not be confused with C. S. Forester, author of the Horatio Hornblower novels. ... Billy Budd is a short novel finished around 1891 by Herman Melville. ... The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world, with one of the most selective sets of entry requirements in the United Kingdom. ... Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh, OM (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976) was a British composer, conductor and pianist. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... A libretto is the complete body of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or secular oratorio and cantata, musical, and ballet. ...

Plot Synopsis

The action takes place during the French Revolutionary Wars, in 1797, on board the battleship HMS Indomitable. The French Revolutionary Wars occurred between the outbreak of war between the French Revolutionary government and Austria in 1792 and the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. ...

Prologue

Captain Edward Fairfax Vere, an old man, reflects on his life and his time in the navy. He reflects on the conflict between good and evil, he is tormented and confused by his questionable leadership and judgement regarding the case of Billy Budd on board his ship, HMS Indomitable, some years earlier.

Act 1

The crew of the Indomitable works on deck, and the Novice bumps into another sailor, which causes him to be punished with a flogging. At the same time a cutter approaches, returning from a merchant ship where it has pressed three sailors into England's Navy. One of these sailors, Billy Budd, seems overjoyed with his situation - entirely different from the other two who are not so happy. Even after being asked to painfully recollect his childhood, his enthusasm remains. Claggart, the Master-at-Arms, calls him "a find in a thousand" and assigns him to the foretop. Billy says farewell to his merchant ship, but the officers, believing his rhapsody to be rabble-rousing, order the crew below.

Claggart tells Squeak, the ship's corporal, to keep an eye on Billy and give him a rough time. Dansker, an old sailor, warns Billy to look out for Claggart and the sailors begin to praise Captain Vere. Billy Budd is filled with excitement at the prospect of serving under "Starry Vere."

As Billy goes to get some tobacco for Dansker, about a week later, he discovers Squeak rifling through his kit. In a rage, stuttering, Billy knocks Squeak to the ground as Claggart and the corporals enter. Dansker explains the situation and, despite Claggart's earlier encouragement, he punishes Squeak and praises Billy. However, when alone, Claggart reveals his hatred for Billy and vows to destroy him. he convinces the Novice to try and bribe Billy into joining a mutiny. Billy refuses and believes he will be rewarded, despite Dansker trying to persuade Billy of Claggart's personal vendetta.

Act 2

Some days later. Claggart begins to tell Vere about the danger of Billy Budd, but is interrupted by the sighting of an enemy ship. Following an unsuccessful action, Claggart now tells Vere that Billy poses a threat of mutiny and that he bribed the Novice. Vere does not believe him and sends for Billy so that Claggart may confront him.

Later, in Vere's cabin, Claggart repeats the false charge to Billy's face. Billy is prevented from giving a vocal defence due to his stammer, so he eventually strikes Claggart in desperation, killing him. the Captain is forced to convene an immediate court-martial, whereupon the officers unwillingly find Billy guilty and sentence him to hang. Billy appeals to Vere to save him, the officers appeal to him for guidance. Vere, however, remains silent and accepts their verdict. He knows he could have saved Billy and is crushed by the conflict and confusion within himself. He volunteers to inform Billy of the sentence.

Following his sentence being passed, Billy is preparing for his execution in his cell. Dansker brings a drink for him and reveals to him the crew's resistance to the penalty that has been given. Billy, however, is resigned to his fate. Four o'clock that morning, the crew is assembled on deck, and Billy is brought out. The Articles of War are read, and show that Billy must be hanged. Just before his execution, he praises Vere with his final words, singing "Starry Vere, God Bless you!" which is echoed by the rest of the crew.

Epilogue

Vere, as an old man, is disturbed by the fact that he has been blessed and saved by the man who he himself failed to save. As he recalls Billy's blessing, he realises he has discovered genuine goodness and can be at peace with himself.

External links

Current performances of Billy Budd from Operabase