Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1970

Average_duration

:

106:07

Owen Wingrave is an opera composed by Benjamin Britten in 1970. The libretto was written by Myfanwy Piper, based on a short story by Henry James. The opera premiered on May 16, 1971, at the Royal Opera House in London. The plot of Owen Wingrave revolves around the titular character, a young man from a military family who refuses to follow in his ancestors' footsteps and become a soldier. Instead, he declares his pacifist beliefs and is disowned by his family. In an attempt to prove himself, Owen agrees to spend a night in a haunted room in his family's ancestral home. However, the experience proves too much for him, and he dies of a heart attack. The opera is divided into two acts, with six scenes in total. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict between Owen and his family. The second act takes place in the haunted room, where Owen confronts the ghosts of his ancestors and ultimately meets his tragic end. Britten's score for Owen Wingrave is characterized by its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. The music is often sparse and eerie, reflecting the ghostly atmosphere of the haunted room. The opera also features a number of vocal ensembles, including a quartet of ghosts who sing in close harmony. Owen Wingrave is considered one of Britten's most political operas, as it deals with themes of pacifism and the futility of war. The opera premiered during the height of the Vietnam War, and its anti-war message resonated with audiences at the time. Despite its initial success, Owen Wingrave has not become as well-known as some of Britten's other operas, such as Peter Grimes and Billy Budd. However, it remains a powerful and thought-provoking work, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first performed.

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