PODCAST · arts

Benjamin Britten- Source Stories of Twelve Operas

by Various

Dive into the captivating world of Benjamin Brittens operas, which are celebrated as a cornerstone of the international repertoire. According to Operabase, Brittens works are performed more than any other composer born in the 20th century, trailing only behind the legendary Puccini and Richard Strauss when considering all operas composed after 1900. Britten drew inspiration from a rich tapestry of sources, ranging from biblical narratives to the elegant Japanese noh plays. In this collection, explore twelve original texts that served as the foundation for his operas, with the exception of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is presented through Charles Lamb’s enchanting retelling. While a few operas are absent due to the unavailability of public domain texts, this compilation offers a fascinating glimpse into the stories that shaped Brittens remarkable contributions to the operatic canon. Summary by Wikipedia and David Wales.