Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Peter Grimes op. 33, opéra en 3 actes
Le viol de Lucrèce op. 37 (The rape of Lucretia), opéra en 2 actes
Billy Budd op. 50, opéra en 4 actes
Gloriana op. 53, opéra en 3 actes
La Mort à Venise op. 88 (Death in Venice), opéra en 2 actes

John Graham-Hall
Susan Gritton
Christopher Purves
Felicity Palmer
Orchestre et Chœur du Théâtre de la Scala de Milan
Robin Ticciati, direction
Richard Jones, mise en scène
(Peter Grimes)

Sarah Connolly
Christopher Maltman
Catherine Wyn-Rogers
Mary Nelso
Leigh Melrose
Clive Bayley
Orla Boylan
John Mark Ainsley
Orchestre de l'English National Opera
Paul Daniel, direction
David McVicar, mise en scène
(Le viol de Lucrèce)

John Mark Ainsley
Jacques Imbrailo
Philip Ens
The Glyndebourne Chorus
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder, direction
Michael Grandage, mise en scène
(Billy Budd)

Susan Bullock
Toby Spence
Patricia Bardon
Mark Stone
Orchestre et choeur du Royal Opera House
Paul Daniel, direction
Richard Jones, mise en scène
(Gloriana)

John Graham-Hall
Andrew Shore
Tim Mead
Sam Zaldivar
Orchestre et choeur de l'English National Opera
Edward Gardner, direction
Deborah Warner, mise en scène
(La Mort à Venise)

Outstanding singers, conductors and directors come together in five diverse but compelling operas by Benjamin Britten. The turbulent, inward fishing community of Peter Grimes is transposed to a merciless 1980s society in Richard Jones’ production, where mutual distrust and dislike have appalling consequences. An ‘outstanding’ Sarah Connolly (Guardian) stars in The Rape of Lucretia, navigating the difficult tale with superb poise and supported by acclaimed baritone Christopher Maltman in the role of Prince Tarquinius. Billy Budd is grippingly staged aboard the claustrophobic HMS Indomitable, with Jacques Imbrailo portraying the troubled sailor and John Mark Ainsley as the tormented Captain Vere in the 2010 Glyndebourne Festival Opera production by Michael Grandage. More light-hearted is the Royal Opera House staging of Gloriana, penned by Britten to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Focusing on the first Queen Elizabeth’s stormy relationship with the Earl of Essex, the production features Susan Bullock as the monarch and Toby Spence as the hot-headed and ultimately treacherous Essex. Finally, Edward Gardner conducts the English National Opera in Deborah Warner’s highly acclaimed production of Death in Venice. John Graham-Hall stars as the ageing Gustav von Aschenbach, whose attraction for a beautiful young Polish boy has fatal consequences. These productions from some of the world’s best opera houses offer five masterful performances that are an ideal way to experience the music of Benjamin Britten. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true Surround Sound.