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

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.