Peter Grimes - Schedule, Program & Tickets

Peter Grimes

Conductor
Simone Young
Staging
Christine Mielitz
Furnishing
Gottfried Pilz
choreography
Roland Giertz
Peter Grimes, a fisherman
Jonas Kaufmann
Ellen Orford, widow, teacher
Lise Davidsen
Balstrode, captain of a retired merchant ship
Bryn Terfel

CONTENTS
Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes tells the story of an outsider who gets under the wheels of the society around him. The starting point of this work was a story by George Crabbe, in which life in a small fishing village is described. Britten, who came from Aldeburgh, found his own home in Crabbe's text and decided in the early 1940s to set the Peter Grimes material to music. The title role was performed by tenor Peter Pears, with whom Britten had a personal and artistic relationship.

The opera premiered in London in 1945. However, more than half a century would pass before the first performance at the Vienna State Opera; It was not until 1996 that the work came out in the staging of Christine Mielitz. She tells the story straightforward and clear and shows the tortured soul of the title character in a cold atmosphere.

plot
In a small fishing village on the east coast of England

PROLOG
A judicial investigation chaired by Mayor Swallow looks into the death of a boy who was an assistant to the fisherman Peter Grimes at sea. Swallow states that Peter Grimes is not to be blamed for death. His judgment that Grimes will only be allowed to hire trained fishermen in the future means ruin for him. He cannot afford expensive labor. Peter protests against the verdict and the talk in the village. Only the teacher Ellen Orford sticks to him.

1st ACT
The village at work. Swallow ensures that his decisions are adhered to. Grimes needs help pulling his boat ashore, but everyone refuses. Trade captain Balstrode and pharmacist Keene defy Swallow and rush to help.

Keene got another boy for Grimes in the poor house. Carter Hobson doesn't want to pick him up. Only when Ellen agrees to look after the child on the way does Hobson make his car available.

A storm threatens to break out.

While the people of the village get to safety, Balstrode advises Peter to leave the village or to marry Ellen. But Peter does not want to be taken out of pity, but only when he has "caught" enough money and thus bought respect and respect.

The whole village seeks shelter from the storm in Auntie's pub. Even Peter appears. An argument breaks out between him and the fanatical Methodist Bob Boles. When Ned Keene picks up a canon, the mood relaxes. Ellen comes with the new boy.

2nd ACT
While the villagers are at church, Ellen talks to the new boy. She fears that Grimes is treating him roughly. A bruise on his neck seems to confirm the suspicion. She confronts Grimes and asks him to change his life. Peter's brutal response destroys their relationship. The village decides to hold Grimes accountable.

Grimes hopes to make the big catch this time. In preparing for the exit, he urges the boy to be in a great hurry. This crashes.

The men don't find anyone.

ACT 3
The village celebrates.

Balstrode and Ellen have found the boy's sweater and are looking for Grimes. The opium addicted widow Mrs. Sedley overheard their conversation and mobilized the village. For the second time you set out - but now armed - to find Grimes.

Ellen and Balstrode discover the half-mad Grimes with the dead child. Against Ellen's resistance, Balstrode advises him to sink his boat.

Subject to changes.

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