The Operas of Benjamin Britten Expression and Evasion 1st Edition by Claire Seymour ISBN 184383314X 978-1843833147

The delicate balance between private and public communication, and the tension between art as self-expression and art as moral resolution were key concerns in Britten’s music. Seymour examines ways in which Britten’s operas explored and articulated the inherent ambiguity and latent sexuality of music, particularly song, and suggests that Britten’s operas may illustrate his search for a public “voice” which would embody, communicate, and perhaps resolve his private beliefs and anxieties. Analyses of Britten’s operas from Paul Bunyan to Death in Venice, the three Church Parables, and several of the “children’s operas” offer evidence that, for Britten, opera was the natural medium through which to explore, express and, paradoxically, repress his private concerns. CLAIRE SEYMOUR is an Opera Studies Tutor at Rose Bruford College, Kent.

Table of contents:

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. [341]-352) and index.
Contents
Introduction
Paul Bunyan
Peter Grimes
The rape of Lucretia
Albert Herring
The little sweep
Billy Budd
Gloriana
The turn of the screw
Noye’s fludde
A midsummer night’s dream
The church parables
Owen Wingrave
Death in Venice
Conclusion.
Publisher’s summary
The delicate balance between private and public communication, and the tension between art as self-expression and art as moral resolution were key concerns in Britten’s music. Seymour examines ways in which Britten’s operas explored and articulated the inherent ambiguity and latent sexuality of music, particularly song, and suggests that Britten’s operas may illustrate his search for a public ‘voice’ which would embody, communicate, and, perhaps, resolve his private beliefs and anxieties. Analyses of Britten’s operas from “Paul Bunyan” to “Death in Venice”, the three Church Parables, and several of the ‘children’s operas’ offer evidence that, for Britten, opera was the natural medium through which to explore, express and, paradoxically, repress his private concerns. Claire Seymour is an Opera Studies Tutor at Rose Bruford College, Kent.