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Product Description
Glyndebourne has a proud association with the operas of Benjamin Britten, however until 2010 had never staged Billy Budd. The all-male opera with a libretto co-written by EM Forster, is based on the battle between pure good and blind evil, and is set on a British man- o-war ship. Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, chose this work to make his long-awaited operatic debut. Sir Mark Elder returned to conduct, marking the 100th opera production in his illustrious career.
Review
This is the most compelling Billy Budd available on video,and superb in Blu-ray. Perfomance ***** Picture and Sound ***** BBC MUSIC DVD CHOICE --BBC Music Magazine,July'11
Mark Elder has proven with Peter Grimes and Gloriana that the large-scale Britten operas suit him marvellously.This Billy Budd is a similarly immense achievement,clearly recognized as such in the ovations accorded Elder by the Glyndebourne audience. --IRR,July/Aug'11
With the LPO on top form,Mark Elder conducts a performance of impeccable class which never takes the drama to the edge. --Gramophone,Sept'11
Mark Elder has proven with Peter Grimes and Gloriana that the large-scale Britten operas suit him marvellously.This Billy Budd is a similarly immense achievement,clearly recognized as such in the ovations accorded Elder by the Glyndebourne audience. --IRR,July/Aug'11
With the LPO on top form,Mark Elder conducts a performance of impeccable class which never takes the drama to the edge. --Gramophone,Sept'11
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a very fine performance indeed. No fancy modern touches, pyjamas, underwear and other rubbish that have ruined several other recent Blu-ray recordings! I have compared it very carefully with the old ENO production on DVD and in almost every respect it is better. Only perhaps in the performance of the evil John Claggert does Richard van Allen give a bit darker and evil sounding reading but not by very much. This is Britten's finest opera and it will be a long time before we get a better recording. Every lover of 20th century opera should try this disc. Superb! Can we hope for Peter Grimes, more Janacek and some Sallinen?
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I already have two DVDs of Billy Budd [the original BBC TV Production with Peter Glossop and the ENO with Thomas Allen]. This Glyndeborne production is truly magnificent. Superlatives escape me. Bearing in mind the cost of seats at the theatre it is truly a bargain to be able to buy this DVD - even if you watch it only once. IF you think you do not like "opera" or the music of Benjamin Britten you could do worse than give this a try. Look at is as an intense pschological drama with tense and throbbing "background music" and you will soon be captured and enthralled! The others who have reviewd this DVD/Blue Ray have said everything with which I totally agree. If you do like this then try the Glyndebourne Tristan & Isolde as well.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I was fortunate enough to see this production at Glyndebourne during summer 2010 and coming back to this Blu-ray a year on I am even more convinced that this must be considered a definitive production of this opera.
The emotional intensity of the theatre is superbly captured in this moving and evocotive disc.
Highly recommended.
The emotional intensity of the theatre is superbly captured in this moving and evocotive disc.
Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Corner stone of a collection
I am fortunate to now possess three versions of Bitten's finest opera. They are all very good but this 2010 Glyndebourne production, expertly captured on DVD, deserves the gold... Read more
Published 3 months ago by trottman
Excellent
Although a big opera fan, I have always found Britten challenging. Something I wanted to address - so this seemed a good Christmas gift idea. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. R. S. Chilvers
Billy Budd
Amazon would like me to use 20 or more words to express my admiration for the Glyndebourne Budd. But all the superlatives have already been acurately used by previous reviewers. Read more
Published 6 months ago by GEOFF C
As good as it gets
This is quite possibly the finest dvd of a live opera performance currently available. I regret I didn't get to see it at Glyndebourne but judging by this dvd it must have been a... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Securi Cor
Outstanding, near-definitive production
Mark Elder, the conductor for this production of Billy Budd at Glyndebourne 2010 notes that all Britten's opera works are in some way about the loss of innocence. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Keris Nine
Great Dramatic Experience
I was lucky enough to see this production live at Glyndebourne in 2010. It was a great experience there, some wonderful moving singing & superbly directed by Michael Grandage, he... Read more
Published 11 months ago by J. Wise
A Gem! Can we now expect a Peter Grimes?
This is a magnificent production. The best production of Britten operas' currently in the DVD/Blu ray catalogue. Read more
Published 11 months ago by George H. Papadopoulos
An excellent and very moving production
Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd is a 2 Act Opera with a Prologue and Epilogue. The libretto is derived from an unfinished novella written by American author Herman Melville. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Harry F. Korbl
Triumph 10 **********
BRILLIANT, WONDERFUL, SUPERB, FANTASTIC, MIND BLOWING !!!!!! get the picture BUY THIS BLU RAY
Probably one of the best productions of one of the best operas ever !!!! Read more
Probably one of the best productions of one of the best operas ever !!!! Read more
Published 13 months ago by the ring
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