Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Curlew River (1964)
A parable for church performance
[La Rivière au Courlis, parabole d'église]
stage work
- General information
-
Composition date:
1964
- Duration: 1 h 11 mn
- Publisher: Faber Music
- Opus: 71
- Dedication: 'To Michael Tippett, in friendship and admiration'
-
Libretto (details, author):
William Plomer, d’après la pièce Nô japonaise Sumidagawa
-
Composition date:
1964
- Type
- Vocal music and instrument(s) [Solo voice(s), choir(s) and ensemble of up to 9 instruments]
Detailed formation
- soloists: 1 solo tenor [The Madwoman] , 2 solo baritones [the Ferryman, the Traveller] , 1 sopranochild voice [the Spirit of the Boy] , 1 solo bass voice [the Pilgrims/the Abbot] , 3 mimes [3 enfants, assitants]
- men's choir(3 tenor, 3 baritone, 2 bass voice [chorus of the Pilgrims])
- 1 flute (also 1 piccolo), 1 horn, 1 viola, 1 double bass, 1 harp, 1 percussionist, 1 organ [de chambre]
Premiere information
-
Date:
13 June 1964
Location:Aldeburgh Festival, Orford Church, Angleterre
Performers:English Opera Group, direction : Benjamin Britten.