Peter Grimes

This 1969 BBC production is about as close as we can get to a definitive version of Benjamin Brittens PETER GRIMES one of the greatest 20th Century operas The story of the individualistic fisherman hounded by his neighbors who believe he murdered his young apprentice packs tremendous emotional power The compelling narrative is richly enhanced by its subtexts the lone outsider versus the conformist mob the dreamer of improbable dreams that lead to tragedy the artist dreamer versus the Philistines and the homosexual overtones of Grimes abuse of his child apprentices Britten is conductor of his work and tenor Peter Pears is Grimes 25 years after he created the title role at the operas premiere As the widow Ellen Orford soprano Heather Harper is magnificent Best of all the sea is an everpresent actor here When we dont see it in the background it exerts its presence in the abundant visual references to nets barrels and other paraphernalia of a seaside fishing village