Peter Grimes (remastered at 96kHz in 24-bit digital stereo from the original analogue master tapes)

~ Release by Britten; Pears, Britten (see all versions of this release, 5 available)

Annotation

Benjamin Britten 1913-1976
PETER GRIMES

Libretto by Montagu Slater, after the poem The Borough by George Crabbe

Peter Grimes, a fisherman: Peter Pears

Ellen Orford, a widow, schoolmistress of the Borough: Claire Watson

Captain Balstrode, a retired merchant skipper: James Pease

Hobson, the carrier, constable of the Borough: David Kelly

Swallow, a lawyer, Mayor of the Borough: Owen Brannigan

Mrs. Sedley, the widow of an East India Company's factor: Lauris Elms

Auntie, the landlady of "The Boar": Jean Watson

Niece 1, Niece 2, the main attractions of "The Boar": Marion Studholme, Iris Kells

Bob Boles, a Methodist fisherman: Raymond Nilsson

The Rector: John Lanigan

Ned Keene, the apothecary: Geraint Evans

John, Grimes's new apprentice: Marcus Norman

Townspeople, fisherfolk

Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
BENJAMIN BRITTEN

Recording location: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London, December 1958
Producer: Erik Smith
Recording engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson
Remastering: Andrew Wedman
Publishers: Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.
Cover: Peter Pears as Peter Grimes in the 1969 BBC production. Photo: © BBC / courtesy of the Britten-Pears Library
Art direction: Jeremy Tilston

467 682-2 CD Box Set
467 683-2 CD1
467 684-2 CD2

Annotation last modified on 2019-01-26 10:22 UTC.

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Peter Grimes: Act II, Scene I. "We planned that their lives should have a new start" (Ellen)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
soprano vocals:
Claire Watson (soprano) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II Scene I: "We planned that their lives should have a new start" (Ellen) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten2:27
2Peter Grimes: Act II, Scene I. "Swallow! Shall we go and see Grimes in his hut?" (Rector)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
tenor vocals:
John Lanigan (tenor) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II Scene I: "Swallow! Shall we go and see Grimes in his hut?" (Rector) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten0:44
3Peter Grimes: Act II, Scene I. "Now is gossip put on trial" (Mrs. Sedley, Boles, Rector, Keene, Swallow, Chorus)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
baritone vocals:
Geraint Evans (baritone) (in 1958-12)
bass vocals:
Owen Brannigan (operatic bass) (in 1958-12)
choir vocals:
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
mezzo-soprano vocals:
Lauris Margaret Elms (in 1958-12)
tenor vocals:
John Lanigan (tenor) (in 1958-12) and Raymond Nilsson (tenor) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II Scene I: "Now is gossip put on trial," (Mrs Sedley, Boles, Rector, Keene, Swallow and Chorus) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten2:12
4Peter Grimes: Act II, Scene I. "From the gutter, why should we trouble at their ribaldries?" (Nieces)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II Scene I: "From the gutter, why should we trouble at their ribaldries?" (Nieces) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten4:35
5Peter Grimes: Interlude IV (Passacaglia)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene I: Interlude IV. Passacaglia (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II
Benjamin Britten5:27
6Peter Grimes: Act II, Scene II. "Go there!" (Peter)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
tenor vocals:
Peter Pears (tenor) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II Scene II: "Go there!" (Peter) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene 2
Benjamin Britten7:18
7Peter Grimes: Act II, Scene II. "Now!... Now!..." (Boles, Rector, Swallow, Keene, Chorus)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
baritone vocals:
Geraint Evans (baritone) (in 1958-12)
bass vocals:
Owen Brannigan (operatic bass) (in 1958-12)
choir vocals:
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
tenor vocals:
John Lanigan (tenor) (in 1958-12) and Raymond Nilsson (tenor) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II Scene II: "Now!... Now!..." (Boles, Rector, Swallow, Keene and Chorus) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene 2
Benjamin Britten2:09
8Peter Grimes: Act II, Scene II. "Peter Grimes! Nobody here?" (Rector)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
tenor vocals:
John Lanigan (tenor) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act II Scene II: "Peter Grimes! Nobody here?" (Rector) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act II: Scene 2
Benjamin Britten3:07
9Peter Grimes: Interlude V: Evening
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Interlude V. Evening (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III
Benjamin Britten4:19
10Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene I. "Assign your prettiness to me" (Swallow)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
bass vocals:
Owen Brannigan (operatic bass) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene I: "Assign your prettiness to me" (Swallow) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten2:36
11Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene I. "Pah!... Ahoy!" (Swallow, Keene)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
baritone vocals:
Geraint Evans (baritone) (in 1958-12)
bass vocals:
Owen Brannigan (operatic bass) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene I: "Pah! Ahoy!" (Swallow and Keene) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten2:49
12Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene I. "Come along, Doctor!" (First Burgess)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene I: "Come along, Doctor!" (First Burgess) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten3:19
13Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene I. "Embroidery in childhood was a luxury of idleness" (Ellen)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
soprano vocals:
Claire Watson (soprano) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene I: "Embroidery in childhood was a luxury of idleness" (Ellen) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten5:09
14Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene I. "Mister Swallow! Mister Swallow!" (Mrs. Sedley)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
mezzo-soprano vocals:
Lauris Margaret Elms (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene I: "Mister Swallow! Mister Swallow!" (Mrs Sedley) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten2:00
15Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene I. "Who holds himself apart, lets his pride rise" (Chorus)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
choir vocals:
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene I: "Who holds himself apart, lets his pride rise" (Chorus) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 1
Benjamin Britten3:45
16Peter Grimes: Interlude VI: Fog
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Interlude VI Fog (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III
Benjamin Britten2:36
17Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene II. "Grimes! Grimes!" (Chorus)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
choir vocals:
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene II: "Grimes! Grimes!" (Chorus, Peter) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 2
Benjamin Britten4:56
18Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene II. "Peter, we've come to take you home" (Ellen)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
soprano vocals:
Claire Watson (soprano) (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene II: "Peter, we've come to take you home" (Ellen) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 2
Benjamin Britten2:29
19Peter Grimes: Act III, Scene II. "To those who pass the Borough" (Chorus)
recording engineer:
Kenneth Wilkinson (engineer) (in 1958-12)
producer:
Erik Smith (British producer, pianist and harpsichordist)
choir vocals:
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Peter Grimes: Act III Scene II: "To those who pass the Borough" (Chorus) (in 1958-12)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1942 until 1945)
librettist:
Charles Montagu Slater (from 1942 until 1945)
part of:
Peter Grimes: Act III: Scene 2
Benjamin Britten5:01

Credits

Release

manufactured in:Germany
printed in:Germany
remastering:Andrew Wedman (producer and engineer)
copyrighted (©) by:Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 2001)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:Decca Music Group Limited (not for release label use, for ℗ & © rights holder use only) (in 1959)
part of:Decca Legends (order: 61)
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/release/4252047 [info]
ASIN:UK: B000059ZIE [info]
discography entry:https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/cat/4676822 [info]
Allmusic:https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/mr0000537227 [info]