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Organization

Singer

Baritone

Jacques Imbrailo

Billy Budd

Tenor

Toby Spence

Captain Edward Fairfax Vere

Bass

Brindley Sherratt

John Claggart

Thomas Oliemans

Mr Redburn

Bass-baritone

David Soar

Mr Flint

Torben Jürgens

Lieutenant Ratcliffe

Christopher Gillett

Red Whiskers

Duncan Rock

Donald

Clive Bayley

Dansker

Sam Furness

A novice

Francisco Vas

Squeak

Manel Esteve Madrid

Bosun

Gerardo Bullón

First mate

Enrique Sánchez Ramos

Second mate

Borja Quiza

The novice's friend

Isaac Galán

Arthur Jones

Conductor

Ivor Bolton

Stage director

Deborah Warner

Set designer

Michael Levine

Lighting designer

Jean Kalman

Choreographer

Kim Brandstrup

Chorus master

Andrés Máspero

Ana González

Costume designer

Chloe Obolensky

Teatro Real de Madrid

Others

Chorus of Teatro Real

Orchestra

Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid

Madrid

Spain

Teatro Real

The debut of Billy Budd in Madrid, without doubt, was one of the most important moments of the Bicentenary of the Teatro Real.

The magnificent libretto is based on the novel with the same name by Herman Melville. The action takes place aboard a ship of the British Royal Navy, it tells the story of the sailor Billy Budd: a beautiful youth who is loyal, generous, strong, naive and kind. Billy’s physical attributes and charisma disarm the ship's master-at-arms who is incapable of controlling the situation and in the end, he sacrifices the innocent lad without compunction.

This new production by the Teatro Real, in conjunction with the Opéra national de Paris and the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, and staging by renowned Deborah Warner, was an unforgettable experience.

Billy Budd by B. Britten, from Teatro Real - Madrid, 2017. Directed by Deborah Warner, conductor Ivor Bolton, starring Duncan Rock, David Soar, Thomas Oliemans, Toby Spence, Brindley Sherratt, Jacques Imbrailo, Torben Jürgens and Christopher Gillet. Performed in English and subtitled in English, German, Spanish, French and Italian.

All hands on deck: In his ship drama based on Melville, Britten completely dispenses with female voices, interspersing the music with folkloric and effectively used sailor songs. Jacques Imbrailo as Billy Budd and Toby Spence as Captain Vere stand out.

Billy Budd Britten

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