The three-act opera Albert Herring was composed by Benjamin Britten (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976.) Libretto was written by E. Crozier after Guy de Maupassant's story "Le Rosier de Madame Husson." It was first performed at Glyndebourne, June 20th, 1947. Setting is in Loxford, a small market town in East Suffolk.
Main Characters List
- Lady Billows, An elderly autocrat (soprano)
- Florence Pike, Her housekeeper, Contralto
- Miss Wordsworth, Head-teacher at the Church School (soprano)
- Mr Gedge, The Vicar, (baritone)
- Superintendent Budd (bass)
- Sid, A butcher's shophand, (baritone)
- Albert Herring, From the greengrocer's (tenor)
- Nancy, From the bakery (mezzo-soprano)
- Mrs Herring, Albert's mother (mezzo-soprano)
- Emmie, Cis, Harry – Village Children (soprano, soprano, treble)
Albert Herring is the third opera of Britten. Here, he returns to his native Suffolk for his subject. Benjamin Britten is known for finding the right music for his characters.
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Act I
Scene 1. Breakfast Room in Lady Billows' House
The village committee members arrive for a meeting to elect a May Queen who is to receive from Lady Billows a prize of 25 pounds. Florence has dug up information on all the single girls with no one worthy to wear the May Queen crown. Lady Billows complains against the shameful state of affairs to which Loxford has sunk into.
The Superintendent suggests a King of May and proposes the simple Albert Herring. The vicar feels that virtue should be tested. Lady Billows agrees to the proposal in order to teach the girls a lesson.
Scene 2. Mrs. Herring's Greengrocery Shop
The three children are playing ball outside to a jaunty action song. Sid was in the shop. Sid tells Albert of all the pleasures that awaits him, if he breaks away from his mother's hold. Nancy arrives. She and Sid arrange a rendezvous that evening, leaving Albert to meditate on what Sid has said and feels miserable after the lovers leave. Lady Billows, with her committee, arrives and announces that Albert is to be May King. Mrs. Herring is happy at the prospect of the 25 pounds that goes with the crown.
Act II
Scene 1. May Day
A long table is set with refreshments. Miss Wordsworth rehearses the three children in the song to be sung in praise of Albert. Sid and Nancy return and Sid pours rum into what will be Albert's lemonade glass "to loosen him up." The official party arrives; the children sing their anthem and bouquets are presented. There are speeches from the committee members and presentations are made to Albert. A toast is drunk. Albert drains his glass and at once his glass is refilled by Nancy.
Scene 2. The Shop. Evening.
Albert arrives home alone, quite drunk. In the street, Sid keeps a date with Nancy, and the two discuss their sympathetic pity for Albert before going off together. Albert overhears and reaches his breaking point. He takes the prize money and heads out looking for adventure.
Albert enters gaily, quite drunk. Sid and Nancy keep their date in the street and discuss their pity for Albert before happily going off. Albert overhears them, stung by what he heard. Reaching his breaking point, he heads out into the night while Mrs. Herring has no idea what he has done.
Act III
Scene. The Shop, Second of May in the Afternoon
Everyone is looking for Albert. Nancy, who is guilt-ridden, consoles Mrs. Herring. Superintendent Budd leads the search. The atmosphere grows tense when Albert's crown is found crushed on the road by a cart. Along came Albert from the street who coolly tells them a horrifying tale of his night out. When they reproach him he simply thanks the Festival Committee for the cash he spent for his night out. Everyone was angry by his drunken tale and they leave hurriedly. Albert finally stands up to his mother.
The children are outside and he invites them for complimentary fruit. They burst into their jaunty song with new words praising Albert.
Sources:
Morley, (Sir) Alexander F.. The Harrap Opera Guide. London: Harrap, 1970
Riding, Alan and Leslie Dunton Downer. Opera. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2006
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