Billy Budd

Description

The works of Benjamin Britten remained largely unperformed in Vienna until the end of the 20th century, when his opera Peter Grimes was premiered there for the first time. Tenor Neil Shicoff in the title role gave such a convincing performance that it captured the audience's appreciation for the work. It was therefore natural to present another opera by Britten a few years later, when Billy Budd was chosen for a performance in its original four-act version from 1951, rather than the revised two-act version from 1961, which is more commonly heard. Neil Shicoff delivered another outstanding performance, this time in the role of Captain Edward Fairfax Vere. Baritone Bo Skovhus, whose international career began in Vienna in the early 1990s, gave an immaculate performance in the role of Billy Budd, his last in this role, as he considered himself too old for it at the age of forty. In the role of John Claggart, the third member of the cast who contributed to the resounding success of this premiere at the State Opera was American bass Eric Halfvarson, already famous for his successful appearances at Bayreuth and other major opera houses. Conductor Donald Runnicles and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra maintained a keen sense of dramatic tension and balance, prompting the audience to support a 30-minute ovation.