Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1964

Average_duration

:

70:26

Movement_count

:

18

Movement ....

Curlew River, Church Parable, Op. 71 is an opera composed by Benjamin Britten in 1964. The plot is based on a Japanese Noh play, Sumidagawa, which tells the story of a grieving mother who searches for her lost son. In Britten's version, the story takes place in medieval England and centers around a group of pilgrims who come to a remote village to attend a religious festival. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which represents a different stage in the story. The first movement introduces the pilgrims and their journey to the village. They arrive at a ferry crossing where they meet the Ferryman, who tells them the story of the Curlew River, a place where a young boy was drowned and his mother still searches for him. The second movement takes place in the village church, where the pilgrims witness a play performed by the villagers. The play tells the story of the lost boy and his mother's search for him. The mother appears and sings a haunting lament, which moves the pilgrims to tears. In the final movement, the mother is reunited with her son's spirit, who appears to her in a vision. The pilgrims witness the reunion and are moved by the power of faith and love. Curlew River is characterized by Britten's use of medieval musical forms and techniques, including plainchant and organum. The opera also features a small ensemble of instruments, including a harp, flute, and percussion, which create a sparse and haunting sound. The opera premiered on June 13, 1964, at the Orford Church in Suffolk, England, as part of the Aldeburgh Festival. It was directed by Colin Graham and starred Peter Pears, Britten's longtime collaborator and partner, in the role of the Ferryman. Curlew River is considered one of Britten's most innovative and influential works, and it has been performed and recorded by numerous opera companies and musicians around the world. Its themes of loss, grief, and redemption continue to resonate with audiences today.

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