The tragic two-act English opera Billy Budd was composed by Benjamin Britten (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976). Libretto was written by E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier, based on the story by Herman Melville. It was first performed at the London Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, December 1, 1951. Setting is onboard H.M.S. Indomitable, a 74-gun ship, during the French and English wars of 1797.
Originally in four acts, Britten's Billy Budd was revised in 1961.
Notable Arias: "Billy Budd, king of the birds!" (Budd) and "I accept their verdict" (Vere)
Character Roles List
- Captain Vere, in command of H.M.S. Indomitable (tenor)
- Billy Budd, Impressed man (baritone)
- Red Whiskers, Impressed man (tenor)
- Arthur Jones, Impressed man (baritone)
- John Claggart, Master at Arms (bass)
- Mr. Redburn, First Lieutenant (baritone)
- Mr. Flint the Sailing Master (bass baritone)
- Lieutenant Ratcliffe (bass)
- Dansker, an old seaman (bass)
- Bosun (baritone)
- Squeak, a ship's corporal (tenor)
- The Novice (tenor)
- The Novice's Friend (baritone)
- Donald, a Sailor (baritone)
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Prologue. Vere thinks back to the French wars when he was captain of the H.M.S. Indomitable.
Act I.
Scene 1. The Main Deck and Quarter-Deck of H.M.S. Indomitable
On board the Indomitable, the Bosun has a novice flogged. Ratcliffe returns with three men he has impressed into service: Billy Budd, Red Whiskers and Arthur Jones. Claggart, the master at arms, and First Lietuenant Redburn question the recruits. Billy Budd is excellent sailor material, in spite of his stammer. Budd is assigned to the foretop, but his farewell to his old ship, "The Rights of Man," is misunderstood as a political statement. Budd is warned by Donald about Claggart.
Scene 2. The Captain's Cabin
Vere invites Redburn and Flint into his cabin for a drink. They complain about the French and worry about mutiny.
Scene 3. The Berth-Deck
Budd discovers Squeak going through his belongingss. They fight. Squeak pulls a knife but Budd decks Squeak. Claggart has Squeak thrown in irons but is bothered by Budd's goodness and vows to destroy him. He promises to protect the novice from further floggings if he can setup Budd as a mutineer. By using Claggart's money, the novice tries to bribe Budd, but Budd sends him away.
Act II.
Scene 1. The Main Deck and Quarter-Deck
The mist is heavy. Claggart tries to report Budd to the captain, but interrupted by an enemy frigate. The Indomitable chases but is forced to stand down due to the mist. Claggart tells the captain that Budd is a mutineer and shows him the gold that he claims Budd used to bribe Squeak.
Scene 2. The Captain's Cabin
The captain reflects that Claggart is an evil man. Budd is admitted and thinks he is promoted. The captain sets him straight that Claggart in fact has accused him of mutiny. Budd is shocked. He strikes Claggart, killing him. The captain is torn between saving Budd and the law. He convenes a "court" composed of Flint, Redburn and Ratcliffe. No one likes Claggart but the law is clear. Since the captain who could not intervene with the law, Budd is condemned to hang.
Scene 3. A Bay of the Upper Gun-Deck
As Budd contemplates death, Dansker gives him a drink and tells him about the disaffection among the ranks. Budd warns Dansker that the sailor must not save him.
Scene 4. The Main Deck and Quarter-Deck
The first lieutenant reads out the articles of war. Budd blesses Captain Vere and is hanged.
EpilogueVere, now an old man, is reconciled to what happened, that Billy has "saved" him, and that he can think of the past 1797 in peace.
Sources:
Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. Da Capo Press, 1997
Morley, (Sir) Alexander F.. The Harrap Opera Guide. London: Harrap, 1970
Riding, Alan and Leslie Dunton Downer. Opera. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2006
