Billy Budd, based on Herman Melville's nautical allegory, is one of Britten's most challenging operas. This comprehensive guide considers the work from both literary and musical viewpoints. Melville's novella is discussed, as is the interpretation given to the novella by the librettists E.
M. Forster and Eric Crozier. A detailed synopsis guides the reader through the musical and dramatic action of the opera and in a chapter devoted to the music, Britten's distinctive technique of tonal symbolism is analysed to demonstrate the effectiveness of his musical response to the dramatic suggestions of Melville's story.
The most important critical writings on Billy Budd are represented by an expanded version of Donald Mitchell's 1979 notebook on the opera. A final chapter charts the opera's stage history and fluctuating critical reception.
| ISBN: | 9780521383288 |
| Publication date: | 8th July 1993 |
| Author: | Mervyn Cooke, Philip Reed |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 180 pages |
| Series: | Cambridge Opera Handbooks |
| Genres: |
Opera |
Billy Budd, based on Herman Melville's nautical allegory, is one of Britten's most challenging operas. This comprehensive guide considers the work from both literary and musical viewpoints.
Benjamin Britten, Billy Budd features in the following genres: Opera
Hardback. Not Available.
Benjamin Britten, Billy Budd was written by Mervyn Cooke, Philip Reed and published by Cambridge University Press
Benjamin Britten, Billy Budd has 180 pages
Yes it is part of Cambridge Opera Handbooks series