Britten’s Billy Budd review: The destruction of an innocent young sailor
THE Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts takes place annually in and around the Suffolk coast birthplace of its founder Benjamin Britten, with the main operas of the season at Snape Maltings concert hall, magnificently converted in 1967 from a Victorian industrial complex for the brewing of beer.
It was the venue this year for Opera North’s 2016 production of Britten’s Billy Budd, the composer’s finest and most harrowing opera. No one can fail to be moved by its tale, based on Herman Melville’s short story, of the destruction of an innocent young sailor press-ganged onto a British man o’war at the time of the French Revolution.
Opera North’s production arrived at Snape in concert version, with a few cast changes from last year, the main one being British bass Brindley Sherratt taking over as master at arms John Claggart, Billy Budd’s nemesis.
I have never seen Sherratt as concentratedly evil as in this role, the mask-like face hiding festering emotions within as Claggart plots, Iago-like, to destroy Billy’s goodness and beauty.
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In the title role, baritone Roderick Williams superbly conveys the goodwill and naivety that endeared Billy to his shipmates and to the ship’s commander Captain Edward Fairfax Vere. Alan Oke as Vere brings out the anguish of an essentially just man who feels compelled to obey the rules of war, despite his conscience.
The Chorus of Opera North sings up a storm, and the Orchestra under conductor Garry Walker gives a thrilling performance.
All this in one of the loveliest settings of any concert hall, the reed beds and tributaries of the River Alde. I look forward to returning next year. Meantime, it is worth checking out Snape Proms, running from 1 August to 1 September for its classical and jazz events.
Britten’s Billy Budd Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts Snape Maltings, Suffolk (snapemaltings.co.uk )
