The first performance took place on 10 June 1968 in St Bartholomew's Church, Orford, Suffolk. The instrumentalists included the hornist Neill Sanders and the percussionist James Blades. Colin Graham was the stage director. The United States premiere was presented at the Caramoor Summer Music Festival on June 29, 1969 with Andrea Velis as the Tempter/Abbot.
| Librettist | William Plomer (Based on the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, this was Britten's third "parable for church performance", after Curlew River and The Burning Fiery Furnace.) |
| Date of composition | 1968 (November 1967 - April 1968) |
| Premiered | 1968, June 19th (Orford Church, Aldeburgh Festival) in Aldeburgh, United Kingdom |
| Dedicated to | Dmitri Shostakovitch |
| Type | Parable |
| Catalogue | BTC 1141 |
| Approx. duration | 69 minutes |
| Spoken language | English |
| Instruments |
Voice (Tenor)
- Tempter/Abbot
Voice (Bass-Baritone) - The Father Voice (Tenor) - The Younger Son Voice (Baritone) - The Elder Son Chorus/Choir |
| Autotranslations beta |
Benjamin Britten: The Prodigal Son, BTC 1141 Benjamin Britten: The Prodigal Son, BTC 1141 Benjamin Britten: The Prodigal Son, BTC 1141 |