Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

The Rape of Lucretia (1946)

Opera in two acts

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1946
    • Duration: 1 h 50 mn
    • Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
    • Opus: 37
    • Dedication: 'to Erwin Stein'
    • Libretto (details, author):

      Ronald Duncan, d’après la pièce d’André Obey

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 2 solo sopranos, 1 solo mezzo-soprano, 1 solo contralto, 1 tenor, 2 solo baritones, 1 solo bass voice
  • 1 flute (also 1 piccolo, 1 alto flute), 1 oboe (also 1 English horn), 2 clarinets (also 1 bass clarinet), 1 bassoon, 1 horn, 1 percussionist, 1 harp, 1 piano, 1 violin, 1 second violin, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 double bass

Premiere information

  • Date: 12 July 1946
    Location:

    Sussex, Glyndebourne


    Performers:

    Ernest Ansermet : direction ; producteur : Eric Crozier ; décor : John Piper.