The Making of Peter Grimes [2 volume set]
The Facsimile of Britten's Composition Draft [Two-volume set]
Paul Banks(Editor)
Boydell Press
Published on 31. July 1996
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-0-85115-632-3 (ISBN)
Description
Facsimile of the composition draft of Peter Grimes, showing Britten's compositional method; companion volume containing essays on its history and significance.
Peter Grimes, Benjamin Britten's first opera, established his stature as a composer, marked a turning point in the fortunes of English opera, and conquered operatic stages around the world. Though its setting and music reflect Britten's greatlove for his native East Anglia, the inspiration for the work was a chance encounter with the poetry of George Crabbe while Britten and the tenor Peter Pears (who eventually created the title role) were stayingin California in 1941; they made a number of draft scenarios while they waited for a passage to England, and after their return Montagu Slater was asked to write the libretto. The full score was completed by February 1945.
The single document that reveals most about the work's creative history is the composition draft in which the composer wrestled with text and music, gradually fashioning the opera into its final version. The colour facsimile of this fascinating manuscript is published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of its first production. It is accompanied by a commentary volume containing a series of essays on the work's history and its contemporary significance by leading Britten scholars, together with a brief note on the work by PETER PEARS(apparently never before published) and an account of the first production by the late ERIC CROZIER, who directed it. The volume is illustrated with colour reproductions of some of the original costume designs by Kenneth Green, his portrait of BenjaminBritten, and contemporary black and white photographs.
Peter Grimes, Benjamin Britten's first opera, established his stature as a composer, marked a turning point in the fortunes of English opera, and conquered operatic stages around the world. Though its setting and music reflect Britten's greatlove for his native East Anglia, the inspiration for the work was a chance encounter with the poetry of George Crabbe while Britten and the tenor Peter Pears (who eventually created the title role) were stayingin California in 1941; they made a number of draft scenarios while they waited for a passage to England, and after their return Montagu Slater was asked to write the libretto. The full score was completed by February 1945.
The single document that reveals most about the work's creative history is the composition draft in which the composer wrestled with text and music, gradually fashioning the opera into its final version. The colour facsimile of this fascinating manuscript is published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of its first production. It is accompanied by a commentary volume containing a series of essays on the work's history and its contemporary significance by leading Britten scholars, together with a brief note on the work by PETER PEARS(apparently never before published) and an account of the first production by the late ERIC CROZIER, who directed it. The volume is illustrated with colour reproductions of some of the original costume designs by Kenneth Green, his portrait of BenjaminBritten, and contemporary black and white photographs.
Reviews / Votes
Packed away in its pages is a very large amount of new information. ...with something like awe one reads the facsimile, watches a genius's pencil give ever more precise form to his fiery visions; one marvels as instinct, inspiration and high technique conspire to create a masterpiece. -- Andrew Porter * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT * Any admirers of the work who can get access to [these two splendid folio volumes] will have the fascinating experience of watching one of the supreme works of are of the past half century take shape before their eyes. INTERNATIONAL OPERA COLLECTOR [David Cairns] A landmark publication of paramount importance... all future students of this opera will need to take account of it. BRIO A fitting tribute to the opera's enduring international stature, and undoubtedly [a] significant achievement in Britten studies. * MUSIC AND LETTERS *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Woodbridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 330 mm
Width: 202 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
4359 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-85115-632-3 (9780851156323)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Paul Banks
Content
Volume I: the composition draft. Volume II: Introduction (1945), Benjamin Britten; "Peter Grimes" (1945), Peter Pears; notes on the production of "Peter Grimes" (1946), Eric Crozier; chronology, Philip Reed; "Peter Grimes" - the growth of the libretto, Philip Brett; finding the right notes, Philip Reed; the later history of the composition draft, Rosamund Strode; "Peter Grimes" - 50 years on, Donald Mitchell; bibliographical notes and narratives, Paul Banks; personalia, Philip Reed.