Glyndebourne has a proud association with the operas of Benjamin Britten, however until 2010 had never staged Billy Budd. The all-male opera with a libretto co-written by EM Forster, is based on the battle between pure good and blind evil, and is set on a British man-‘o-war ship.

Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, chose this work to make his long-awaited operatic debut. Sir Mark Elder returned to conduct, marking the 100th opera production in his illustrious career.

CAST
Captain Vere: John Mark Ainsley
Billy Budd: Jacques Imbrailo
Claggart: Phillip Ens
Mr Redburn: Iain Paterson
Mr Flint: Matthew Rose
Lieutenant Ratcliffe: Darren Jeffery
Red Whiskers: Alasdair Elliott
Donald: John Moore
Dansker: Jeremy White
Novice: Ben Johnson
Squeak: Colin Judson
Bosun: Richard Mosley-Evans

The Glyndebourne Chorus
London Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Mark Elder
Director: Michael Grandage

Extra features
Introducing Billy Budd
Designs on Billy Budd