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 |