The year 2013 marks the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, one of the great composers of the twentieth century.  As part of the celebrations across the world the Mikhailovsky Theatre (Saint-Petersburg) with the support of the British Council will present one of the most prominent and extraordinary of his works, the opera Billy Budd, which will be staged for the first time in Russia

The libretto is based on the classic novella by the English writer Herman Melville depicting the events on board the battleship HMS Indomitable. A conflict between Billy Budd, a young sailor popular with the crew and Claggart, the ship’s Master-at-arms builds into a thunderous psychological drama involving the ship’s Captain Vere, leading to a tragic outcome.

The opera was first performed at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden in December 1951. In the following six decades Billy Budd has featured in the repertoires of major opera houses, including the English National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Grand Opera House. The opera features an all male cast of 20. The shows in St Petersburg will be engaging the artists of the Mikhailovsky Theatre as well as the invited singers.

To mark the first performance of Billy Budd in Russia the British Council and Mikhailovsky Theatre will be hosting a lecture “Britten. First time in Russia” on the 24th of January at 18.15 at Chimney Hall at Mikhailovsky theatre.

Benjamin Britten, a renowned English composer, conductor and pianist was born in Lowestoft, England on 22 November 1913 - interestingly, the saint day of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. His musical talent revealed itself at a very early age – he started composing when he was 5 and in 1930 won the scholarship to enter the Royal College of Music. After graduation Britten started collaborating with the Post Office Film Unit writing music for documentary films. At the outbreak of war in 1939 Britten, a dedicated pacifist went to Canada and USA with Peter Pears, a celebrated tenor and his life-long partner.

In 1942 they returned to Suffolk and in 1948 founded the Aldeburgh Festival which has now grown into a major annual classical music event. In 1976 Britten accepted a life peerage, becoming Baron Britten of Aldeburgh and died 2 months later. His best known works include “Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge” (1937), ”Peter Grimes” (1945), “The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra” (1945),"Albert Herring" (1947), "Let’s Make an Opera" (1949); "Billy Budd" (1951); "Gloriana" (1953, written for the festivities following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II); "The Turn of the Screw" (1954); "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" (1960), "A War Requiem" (written for the celebration of the Consecration of the restored St. Michael’s Cathedral, Coventry in 1962) and “Death in Venice” (1973).

Britten travelled extensively in Europe and Far East and was influenced by the music of Bali and Japan. Eg, one of the three church parables "Curlew River" (1964) is an adaptation of a Japanese Noh play into a medieval miracle play. "The Burning Fiery Furnace" (1966) and "The Prodigal Son" (1968) complete the trio. Another important influence and inspiration was Igor Stravinsky whom Britten regarded as a composer who had freed himself from the tyranny of the purely personal. Like Stravinsky, Britten had not limited himself to a particular musical style and composed in many various ones. He believed in the universal spirit of music and its altruistic uniting nature and sought to share his fascination with the beauty with the entire world around him – with the people of the present, each and every one of us.

For more information about Benjamin Britten and his music please visit the website of the Britten-Pears Foundation

Britten Centenary Celebrations

The British Council, in partnership with Britten-Pears Foundation, will be organising a range of concerts, exhibitions and educational activities throughout 2013 to celebrate Britten’s centenary.  Stay tuned for further details and updates here.