The Making of Peter Grimes: The Facsimile of Britten's Composition Draft (set) (Aldeburgh Studies in Music) [Box set, Facsimile] [Hardcover]

Paul Banks (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0851156320 | ISBN-13: 978-0851156323 | Publication Date: July 31, 1996 | Edition: Facsimile of 1945 ed

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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. --TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT (Andrew Porter)

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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press; Facsimile of 1945 ed edition (July 31, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851156320
• ISBN-13: 978-0851156323
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,468,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)