Billy Budd
Watch Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd online for free from Sunday 12 July
Glyndebourne is facing a devastating impact due to the cancellation of Festival 2020.
If you have enjoyed Glyndebourne Open House, please consider donating to our COVID-19 emergency appeal.
If you would prefer to donate by phone please call our Box Office on +44(0)1273 815000 during Box Office opening hours.
About the opera
Inspired by Herman Melville’s novella, Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd is a heart-breaking psychological study of good and evil and the many human shades of grey that lie between. Harnessing the power of a large orchestra and all-male chorus, the opera creates a vast and powerful voice for the sailors of the HMS Indomitable.
At the heart of this claustrophobic community is Billy Budd, a new recruit whose innocence, goodness and beauty attract the unwelcome attention of Master-at-arms Claggart. Conflicted and tormented by the emotions the boy stirs in him, Claggart vows to destroy him. False accusations lead to violence, tragedy and ultimately death.
Britten’s score blends lyricism and moments of startling beauty with evocative sea-shanties and sweeping orchestral textures to create one of his most moving operas.
Glyndebourne’s first ever production is directed by veteran British theatre director Michael Grandage, who makes his operatic debut with this award-winning production starring Jacques Imbrailo in the title role. Mark Elder conducts.
Billy Budd was captured live at Festival 2010. It is available on DVD from our shop.
Preview videos
Creative team
Conductor
Mark Elder
Director
Michael Grandage
Designer
Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer
Paule Constable
Movement Director
Tom Roden
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The Glyndebourne Chorus
Music by kind permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd

Cast
Captain Vere
John Mark Ainsley
Lieutenant Ratcliffe
Darren Jeffery
First Mate
Michael Wallace
Claggart, Master-at-Arms
Phillip Ens
Second Mate
John-Owen Miley-Read
Red Whiskers
Alasdair Elliott
Mr Flint, Sailing Master
Matthew Rose
Arthur Jones
Toby Girling
Bosun
Richard Mosley-Evans
Billy Budd
Jacques Imbrailo
Donald
John Moore
Novice’s Friend
Alexander Robin Baker
Maintop
Peter Gijsbertsen
Dansker
Jeremy White
Novice
Ben Johnson
Cabin Boy
Sam Honywood
Squeak, a ship’s corporal
Colin Judson
Mr Redburn, First Lieutenant
Iain Paterson
Midshipmen
Freddie Benedict, Alastair Dixon, Adam Lord, Pascal Tohouri, Joseph Wakeling
Photos: Alastair Muir