Curlew River

Curlew River — A Parable for Church Performance (Op. 71) is the first of three Church Parables by Benjamin Britten. The work is based on the Japanese Noh-play Sumidagawa ('Sumida River') of Juro Motomasa (1395–1431), which Britten saw during a visit to Japan and the Far East in 1956.

Related Topics:
Benjamin Britten - Japanese - Noh - Juro Motomasa - Japan - Far East - 1956

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The libretto is by William Plomer, who translated the setting of the original into a Christian parable, set in early medieval times near the fictional Curlew River, in the fenlands of East Anglia. The action centres on the Madwoman - an outsider. This theme is common to almost all of Britten's dramatic works: Peter Grimes, Billy Budd and Owen Wingrave all focus on an outsider protagonist.

Related Topics:
William Plomer - Christian - Parable - Fenlands - East Anglia

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Curlew River marked a departure in style for the remainder of the composer's creative life, paving the way for such works as Owen Wingrave, Death in Venice and the Third String Quartet.

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The work was premiered in Orford Church on June 13, 1964 at Orford Church, Suffolk, England. http://opera.stanford.edu/Britten/main.html

Related Topics:
June 13 - 1964 - England

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The story is told through four main characters who, in the style of Noh theatre, are all performed by male singers: the Abbot (a Bass, who acts as a narrator), the Madwoman (Tenor), the Ferryman (Baritone) and the Traveller (Baritone). A chorus is provided by eight Pilgrims (three Tenors, three Baritones and two Basses).

Related Topics:
Bass - Tenor - Baritone - Chorus

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