Rating: - Classic English opera everyone should see
This is a 1969 studio recording directed by Joan Cross, who created Ellen Orford in the original stage production in 1945. It is in remarkably good sound and colour picture quality and has transferred well to DVD. The opera is staged well in limited studio facilities, in simple but effective sets (which only occasionally appear a little cardboardy!). Peter Pears here recreates his central performance of the lead role - it's a great shame he didn't commit this earlier in his career. Whilst it is great to have a visual record of him, he lacks the power and brute force for the role which we are more accustomed to seeing in modern productions. He looks a highly improbably fisherman - described in the opening scene as "callous, brutal and coarse" - rather he gives me the impression of a somewhat faded aristocrat in his twilight years! But vocally he brings his unique ethereal sound to the haunted man, making him a true outsider.
However, this quibble aside, this is a very satisfying DVD with fabulous performances from the supporting cast, all with great diction. How lucky we are to see and hear Owen Brannigan's amazing bass! I found the composer's own conducting of the score a little scrappy on occasions, but the drama of the piece soon carries you away and the climax of the orchestral Passacaglia is absolutley superb! Peter Grimes is one of those key operas that everyone should see, and this production is a great introduction for anyone who hasn't been lucky enough to see it before.
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![Britten - Peter Grimes - Britten [1969]](http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/icons/dvd-no-image.gif){kind=icon}
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