Billy Budd

Britten’s gripping psychological drama returns in this award-winning staging.

When a young sailor is unjustly accused of mutiny, it triggers a tragic sequence of events. Good and evil, innocence and corruption come together in this heartbreaking opera, a seafaring epic brought to vivid life in Michael Grandage’s evocative, claustrophobic production.

Michael Grandage returns to direct Britten’s opera, not seen at Glyndebourne for a over decade. Nicholas Carter will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Thomas Mole will play in the title role, Olivier Award-winner Allan Clayton and Sam Carl make their role debuts playing Captain Vere and John Claggart.

A revival of the Festival 2010 production. Sung in English.

Program and cast

Creative team

Conductor: Nicholas Carter

Director: Michael Grandage

Designer: Christopher Oram

Lighting Designer: Paule Constable

London Philharmonic Orchestra

The Glyndebourne Chorus

Cast includes

Captain Vere: Allan Clayton

Billy Budd: Thomas Mole

John Claggart: Sam Carl

Mr Redburn, First Lieutenant: Dingle Yandell

Mr Flint, Sailing Master: William Thomas

Lieutenant Ratcliffe: Daniel Okulitch

Red Whiskers: Alasdair Elliott

Donald: Samuel Dale Johnson

Dansker: Clive Bayley

A Novice: Laurence Kilsby

The Novice’s Friend: Alex Otterburn

Squeak, a ship’s corporal: Daniel Norman 

Bosun: Michael Ronan

Maintop: Ru Charlesworth 

Performance timings

Timings are subject to change.

2, 8, 11, 17, 24, 28, 30 July

Grounds open: 3.00pm
Opera starts: 5.00pm
Interval (90 mins): 6.25pm
Opera resumes: 7.55pm
Opera ends: 9.15pm

28 June
5 July

Grounds open: 2.00pm
Opera starts: 4.00pm
Interval (90 mins): 5.25pm
Opera resumes: 6.55pm
Opera ends: 8.15pm