Billy Budd
Classification added October 9, 2015Premiered December 1, 1951 (4 Act original version), November 13, 1961 (2 Act revised version)
London, England. Covent Garden (original version). BBC Third Programme (revised version)
Composer:
Benjamin Britten
Original Language:
English
Librettist:
E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier
Description:
Opera in Two Acts
Notes:
adapted from the story by Herman Melville
Time Period:
During the French Wars of 1797
Place:
Onboard the H.M.S. Indomitable
Classification key
- L – Leading
- F – Featured
- S – Supporting
- B – Solo Bit
- CB – Chorus Bit
- MB – Mute Bit
| Role | Voice Part | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Edward Fairfax Vere | Tenor | L |
| Billy Budd | Baritone | L |
| Mr. Redburn, First Lieutenant | Baritone | L |
| Mr. Flint, Sailing Master | Bass-Baritone | L |
| John Claggart | Bass | L |
| Lieutenant Ratcliffe | Bass | F |
| Red Whiskers | Tenor | S |
| Novice | Tenor | S |
| Maintop | Tenor | S |
| Squeak | Tenor | S |
| Donald | Baritone | S |
| Bosun | Baritone | S |
| First and Second Mates | Baritones | S |
| Novice’s Friend | Baritone | S |
| Dansker | Bass | S |
| Four Midshipmen (4 boys) | Trebles | B |
| Cabin Boy | Spoken | B |
| Arthur Jones | Baritone | B |
| Three Chorus Soli | Tenor | CB |
| Baritone | CB | |
| Bass | CB | |
| Hurt Sailor | Baritone | CB |
| Off-stage Voice | Baritone | CB |
| linebreak | ||
| Sailor with the earring | Baritone | CB |
| Gunnar’s Mate | Baritone | CB |
Minimum Chorus: 40
Divisi: TB