Benjamin Britten Opera Peter Grimes
Plot Synopsis and Character Description of an English Drama
Jul 10, 2009
Benjamin Britten (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976) composed Peter Grimes in three acts and a prologue. Libretto was written by Montagu Slater after George Crabbe's poem "The Borough." It was premiered at Sadler's Wells, London, on June 7, 1945. The setting is at The Borough, a fictional small fishing-town on the East Coast, towards 1830.
Notable arias: "Now the Great Bear" (Grimes) and "Embroidery" (Ellen)
Peter Grimes is the first opera of Benjamin Britten. It won instant success and wide recognition. Much of its music makes a ready appeal. Although it is descended from 19th century peasant opera, it vividly illustrates a realistic and moving story constructed with a strong sense of the stage.
Character Roles of Peter Grimes
- Peter Grimes, A fisherman (Tenor)
- Ellen Orford, A widow, schoolmistress of the Borough (Soprano)
- Captain Balstrode, Retired merchant skipper (Baritone)
- Auntie, Landlady of The Boar (Contralto)
- Auntie's Two Nieces, Main attractions of The Boar (Sopranos)
- Bob Boles, Fisherman and Methodist (Tenor)
- Swallow, Lawyer (Bass)
- Mrs Sedley, A widow of an East India Company's factor (Mezzo-soprano)
- Rev. Horace Adams, The rector (Tenor)
- Ned Keene, Apothecary and quack (Baritone)
- Hobson, Carrier (Bass)
- John, The boy, Grimes' new apprentice (Speaking bit part)
Plot Summary / Synopsis of Peter Grimes
There's an orchestral "sea" interludes between scenes.
Prologue. A Room Inside the Moot Hall.
Swallow is presiding at the inquest, attended by hostile townspeople, about Grimes' apprentice who died at sea. After the facts is established, Swallow gives a verdict of accidental death. Grimes seeks an opportunity to refute the hostile group.
Act I. The Beach and Street in the morning, and at The Boar that Night
Scene 1. The Beach on a Morning
Fishermen and their women sing at work. Peter calls for help in hauling his boat. No one is willing to help until Balstrode and Keene give a hand. Keene tells Grimes that he has found him a new apprentice. Ellen volunteers to look after the boy. Balstrode observes that a storm is approaching and advises Grimes to get away to sea, but Grimes believes the sea is his "home" and is determined to silence the gossip about the previous apprentice who died. He wants to continue fishing until he is wealthy and marry Ellen.
Scene 2. Inside The Boar that Night
News is brought that the cliff is down by Grimes' hut. When Grimes enters The Boar, everyone tries to avoid him. Hobson, Ellen and the new apprentice arrive, all wet. Grimes wants to go for the sea at once.
Act II. At the Beach, later, at Grimes' Hut
Scene 1. The Beach and Street on a Sunday Morning
Ellen talks to the silent apprentice as villagers enter the church. She talks about her fondness for children and hopes that Grimes makes a new start. Her thoughts are dashed when she finds that the boy's coat is torn and his neck bruised. She reminds him that he is overworking the boy and if it's worth to live by lonely toil. Grimes gets furious and strikes her. He then goes off with the boy and Ellen departs in tears. The rector and Swallow lead a threatening procession of men, to Grimes' hut.
Scene 2. Peter's Hut, an Upturned Boat
Grimes bullies John. He dreams of life with Ellen. When he hears the sound of the approaching procession, he hustles the boy down to the boat. Just as there is knocking on the door, the boy falls down the cliff. Balstrode enters and discovers what has happened.
Act III. At the Moot Hall, later, at the Beach
Scene 1. At the Moot Hall
There is a dance in the Moot hall and Swallow flirts with Auntie's nieces. Mrs. Sedley takes Keene aside and insists John has been murdered, neither he nor Grimes having been seen for days. Keene ignores her. Mrs Sedley eavesdrops while Balstrode and Ellen discuss Grimes' arrival. His boat has been in for an hour, but they cannot find him and the boy. Mrs Sedley rouses Swallow and Hobson to look for Grimes.
Scene 2. At the Beach
Balstrode finds Grimes struggling quite demented, and tells him to take his boat out to sea and sink it. Grimes does.
As the day dawns, the orchestra softly resumes the music of the first Interlude while Grimes' boat sinks far out at sea.
Sources:
Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
Morley, Sir Alexander F. Harrap Opera Guide. London: Harrap, 1970
Riding, Alan and L.D. Downer. Opera. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2006
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