The Operas of Benjamin Britten

by David Herbert (Editor), Hans Keller (Introduction), Peter Pears (Preface)

A reference work for all opera-lovers containing the librettos of all sixteen of Britten's Operas, revised against the composer's own music scores and illustrated with 140 pictures of set and costume designs for the earliest productions of each opera.

Genres: Music

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1979

Reviews

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The texts for Britten's operas can be hard to find, so this beautifully-structured volume deserves a place on any bookshelf. In the wake of Britten's death, inevitably, there was a flurry of content related to the composer. I think this book was a beneficiary of same.

A series of essays open the volume looking at the experience of designing, writing, and staging operas alongside Britten from those who did so, as well as a short piece by Dame Janet Baker on working as a singer on his operas. This is followed by the texts for all of the major works, from his early 'Paul Bunyan' with W.H. Auden through to 'Death in Venice'. Beautiful art along the way makes the journey that much more pleasant.