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Benjamin Britten

Jon Vickers in ‘Peter Grimes’ with the Royal Opera at the Los Angeles Olympics

1984. Los Angeles
Jon Vickers stars in the Royal Opera's performance of 'Peter Grimes'
Composer Benjamin Britten
Conductor Sir Colin Davis
Singer Jon Vickers
Ensemble Royal Opera, Covent Garden
Genre Opera

The Royal Opera took its production of Peter Grimes to Los Angeles as part of the celebrations around the Olympics in 1984.  This was the production by Elijah Moshinsky, built on the interpretation of the title role by Jon Vickers, which opened in 1975.  Famously, Benjamin Britten saw this production when it was new and reacted against various aspects of the staging but also to the interpretation of the title role by Jon Vickers, which contrasted dramatically from that of his life partner Peter Pears, for whom the role was written.  Since Vickers the role has most often been been performed by Heldentenors.

Benjamin Britten (1913 – 1976)

Peter Grimes

  1. Act One
  2. Act Two
  3. Act Three

This recording comes from the collection of Jon Tolansky

  • Peter Grimes
    Jon Vickers
  • Ellen Orford
    Heather Harper
  • Captain Balstrode
    Thomas Stewart
  • Ned Keene
    Thomas Allen
  • Swallow
    Stafford Dean
  • Mrs Sedley
    Patricia Payne
  • Royal Opera Chorus
  • Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
  • Colin Davis
    Conductor

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