Opera in 2 acts
Libretto: Myfanwy Piper [Based: a short story by Henry James]
First performance: 10 May 1973, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
First broadcast: 16 May 1971, BBC2 [Recorded: November 1970, Snape Maltings]
Recorded: 2001
When Britten started to work on 'Owen Wingrave' he conceived the opera both for performance on stage and for TV production. In fact the first TV production of Owen Wingrave was broadcasted in 1971, two years before opera premiere at Covent Garden.
This 2001 production, made for Channel 4 television, intriguingly tells the drama of Owen, who refused to follow a military carees like his ancesotrs. The story, which has pacifism as its theme, was written by Henry James, and the libretto by Myfanwy Piper.
In the second part of this DVD the intense documentary Britten - The Hidden Heart tells the story of Benjamin Britten and his life-long friend Peter Pears, with spots on Britten's most famous works Peter Grimes, War Requiem and Death in Venice.
British director Magaret Williams has adapted a number of stage works for the screen, many of which have won international accolades. Notable productions include thonas Ades' opera Powder Her Face, The Welsh National Opera's Poppea and Judith Weir's Blond Eckbert at the English National Opera.
Specials:
Documentary: Benjamin Britten - The Hidden Heart
01 Opening Credits
Act One:
02 Prelude
03 Scene 1 - You've got your maps there?
04 Interlude I
05 Scene 2 - At last it's out.
06 Interclude II - War is the statesman's game
07 Scene 3 - Your sherry, Mrs. Coyle
08 Interlude III
09 Scene 4 - Oh, how unforeseen
10 Scene 5 - Sirrah! How dare you!
11 Scene 6 - Coyle! I wish I had not come
12 Interlude
13 Scene 7 - May God bless the Queen
Act Two:
14 Prologue - There was a boy, a Wingrave born
15 Scene 1a - Was it remorse?
16 Scene 1b - I envy you this fine old house
17 Scene 1c - Owen! You've had your orders?
18 Scene 1d - Good Night.
19 Scene 1e - Peace is not confused
20 Scene 1f - Oh Kate! All our lives we've shared
21 Scene 1g - Owen! Why can't we go on?
22 Scene 2 - Is that you, Coyle? |
[ PAL ]