Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25790 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-06-09
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: AC-3, Classical, Colour, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Full Screen, PAL, Subtitled
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, German, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 142 minutes

DVD Description
Tracklist 1. "Peter Grimes!" Benjamin Britten 2. "Peter Grimes, I here advise you!" Benjamin Britten 3. "The truth...the pity..." Benjamin Britten 4. Interlude I: On the beach Benjamin Britten 5. "Oh, hang at open doors" Benjamin Britten 6. "Hi! give us a hand" Benjamin Britten 7. The carter goes from pub to pub Benjamin Britten 8. "Look, the storm cone!" Benjamin Britten 9. Interlude II: The Storm Benjamin Britten 10. "Past time to close!" Benjamin Britten 11. Get the brandy, Aunt! Benjamin Britten 12. "Old Joe has gone fishing" Benjamin Britten 13. "The bridge is down, we half swam over" Benjamin Britten 14. Interlude III: Sunday morning by the beach Benjamin Britten 15. "Glitter of waves" Benjamin Britten 16. Child, you're not too young to know Benjamin Britten 17. "Fool to let it come to this!" Benjamin Britten 18. "We planned that their lives" Benjamin Britten 19. "Swallow! Shall we go" Benjamin Britten 20. "From the gutter" Benjamin Britten 21. Interlude IV: Passacaglia Benjamin! Britten 22. "Go there!" Benjamin Britten 23. "Peter Grimes! Nobody here?" Benjamin Britten 24. Interlude V: Evening Benjamin Britten 25. "Assign your prettiness to me" Benjamin Britten 26. Is the boat in? Benjamin Britten 27. "Mr.Swallow!" Benjamin Britten 28. Interlude VI: Fog Benjamin Britten 29. "Grimes! Grimes!" Benjamin Britten 30. "To those who pass the Borough" Benjamin Britten 31. Britten: Peter Grimes - Closing Credits Not Applicable

Synopsis
A performance of Benjamin Britten's PETER GRIMES.

Customer Reviews

Classic English opera everyone should see
This is a 1969 studio recording directed by Joan Cross, who created Ellen Orford in the original stage production in 1945. It is in remarkably good sound and colour picture quality and has transferred well to DVD. The opera is staged well in limited studio facilities, in simple but effective sets (which only occasionally appear a little cardboardy!). Peter Pears here recreates his central performance of the lead role - it's a great shame he didn't commit this earlier in his career. Whilst it is great to have a visual record of him, he lacks the power and brute force for the role which we are more accustomed to seeing in modern productions. He looks a highly improbably fisherman - described in the opening scene as "callous, brutal and coarse" - rather he gives me the impression of a somewhat faded aristocrat in his twilight years! But vocally he brings his unique ethereal sound to the haunted man, making him a true outsider.
However, this quibble aside, this is a very satisfying DVD with fabulous performances from the supporting cast, all with great diction. How lucky we are to see and hear Owen Brannigan's amazing bass! I found the composer's own conducting of the score a little scrappy on occasions, but the drama of the piece soon carries you away and the climax of the orchestral Passacaglia is absolutely superb! Peter Grimes is one of those key operas that everyone should see, and this production is a great introduction for anyone who hasn't been lucky enough to see it before.

...BUT FOR THE BEST OF PETER PEARS...
I think I agree on most points with reviewer '221b' (is that his bus home?). Let me enforce the fact that this is virtually the current English Opera Group production and -for that alone- it is a considerable historical document. For strong and challenging live performances/productions, go to Vickers or Ventris or (best) Langridge at ENO, but have this Pears DVD as an adjunct.

However, for Pears & co. at their very best, buy the companion DVD Billy Budd...it is just breathtaking, with Pears absolutely stunning as Captain Vere. Vocally, he (and Glossop as Billy, for that matter)surpasses himself on the similarly-cast Decca recording from the following year. Mackerras offers a valid alternative to Britten himself, conducting a very dramatic performance. Go for it!!!!!