The premiere was recorded at Snape Maltings in November 1970 and first broadcast on BBC2 on 16 May 1971. The music is influenced by Britten's interest in 12-tone serialist techniques. A large tuned percussion sections heralds the treatment in his next (and last) opera, Death in Venice. In addition to being an expression of Britten's own pacifism, he was reported as saying that this opera was partly a response to the Vietnam War.

Librettist Myfanwy Piper (After a short story by Henry James.)
Date of composition 1970 (April 1969 - August 1970)
Premiered 1971, May 16th
Dedicated to 'To Joan and Isador Caplan'
Type Opera
Catalogue BTC 1149
Approx. duration 106 minutes
Spoken language English
Instruments Voice (Baritone) - Owen Wingrave
Voice (Bass-Baritone) - Spencer Coyle
Voice (Tenor) - Lechmere
Voice (Soprano) - High dramatic soprano ; Miss Wingrave
Voice (Soprano) - Mrs Coyle
Voice (Soprano) - Mrs Julian
Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Kate Julian
Voice (Tenor) - General Sir Philip Wingrave
Voice (Tenor) - Narrator
Chorus/Choir
Autotranslations beta Benjamin Britten: Owen Wingrave, BTC 1149
Benjamin Britten: Owen Wingrave, BTC 1149
Benjamin Britten: Owen Wingrave, BTC 1149