Billy Budd (opera) facts for kids

Billy Budd is an opera by Benjamin Britten. It was first performed in London on 1 December 1951. The story for the opera comes from a short novel called Billy Budd by Herman Melville. The words for the opera, called the libretto, were written by E.M.Forster and Eric Crozier.

Britten first wanted Geraint Evans to sing the part of Billy Budd. But the notes were too high for Evans's voice. So, Theodor Uppman sang Billy Budd instead, and Evans sang a different role. The first performance was a big success.

The first version of the opera had four acts. But in 1960, Britten changed it to two acts. People still disagree about which version is better.

Famous singers called baritones who have sung Billy Budd include Thomas Allen, Simon Keenlyside, Richard Stilwell, and Thomas Hampson. There are no women in this opera at all.

Main Characters in Billy Budd

The opera also includes many other sailors, officers, and midshipmen.

The Story of the Opera

The story happens on a warship called HMS Indomitable in 1797. This was during the French Revolutionary Wars. The opera starts with a short prologue and ends with an epilogue. In these parts, the old captain looks back at the story that happened many years ago. The rest of the opera tells that story.

Prologue: Captain Vere's Memories

Captain Vere is an old man. He is thinking about his life and his time in the navy. He remembers what happened to Billy Budd years ago. He feels sad because he could not save Billy.

Act 1: New Sailors on Board

The crew of the Indomitable are working on the ship's deck. A new sailor, called the Novice, slips and bumps into an officer. The Novice is then cruelly beaten for this. At the same time, another crew member brings three new young men to the ship. These men have been forced to join the navy. One of them is Billy Budd.

Billy Budd is very happy about his new job. He does not realize how cruelly he might be treated. The man in charge of the crew is Claggart. He is the Master-at-Arms, and he is very mean. Claggart says Billy Budd is a fine young man, even though Billy has a stammer. Billy happily says goodbye to his old ship, called Rights of Man. He does not see the irony in that name. On his old ship, he had some rights, but now he will be treated badly. The word "indomitable" means "something that cannot be defeated." Claggart does not like Billy’s happy attitude. He tells another sailor, Squeak, to watch Billy carefully.

The Novice comes back after being beaten. He is in so much pain that he cannot walk. Billy is shocked. But he thinks he will not be treated like that if he just obeys the ship’s rules.

Dansker, an old sailor, tells the new men that Captain Vere's nickname is "Starry Vere." Billy thinks Vere must be a good man. He swears loyalty to Vere, even though he has not seen him yet.

Act 2: Claggart's Evil Plan

In his cabin, Captain Vere talks with his officers about the French revolution. They also talk about the rebellions that have happened in the British Navy. The officers suggest that Billy might cause trouble. But Vere believes his men are all good.

Billy finds Squeak looking through his personal things. Billy gets angry and his stammer gets worse. He knocks Squeak to the ground. Claggart seems to take Billy’s side, so Billy is not punished. However, Claggart wants to be evil to Billy. He gives some money to the Novice. He tells the Novice to convince Billy to start a rebellion. He also tells the Novice to give Billy the money as a bribe. The Novice is too scared to refuse.

Billy refuses the bribe. He thinks he will be rewarded for being honest. But Dansker warns him that Claggart is dangerous. Billy is too naïve (innocent) to understand what Dansker is saying. They sing a duet. Billy sings about how wonderful life is on the ship. Dansker tries to warn Billy about Claggart, singing: "Jemmy-legs is down on you."

Act 3: A Tragic Accident

Claggart starts to tell Vere that Billy could cause trouble. But they are interrupted when a French ship is seen. The Indomitable attacks. But they lose sight of the enemy in the mist. Claggart returns and tells Vere that Billy is a threat and might start a rebellion. Vere does not believe him. He sends for Billy so Claggart can talk to him directly.

Later, in Vere's cabin, Claggart repeats the false accusation in front of Billy. Again, Billy starts to stammer because he is so angry. He cannot speak. In his frustration, he hits Claggart and accidentally kills him. The Captain has to gather the officers. They decide Billy is guilty and sentence him to be executed. Billy begs Vere to save him. The officers ask Vere what they should do, but Vere stays silent. He goes into the cabin where Billy is being held. The music suggests that the captain is telling Billy about his death sentence.

Act 4: Billy's Last Moments

Dansker brings Billy a drink. He tells Billy that the crew are willing to rebel for him. But Billy accepts his fate (what is meant to happen). In the early morning, the crew gather on deck. Billy is executed. Just before he dies, he praises Vere, singing: "Starry Vere, God Bless you!" The rest of the crew repeat his words.

Epilogue: Vere Finds Peace

Vere, as an old man, remembers Billy's burial at sea. He thinks about how the young man had blessed him as he died. He realizes that this was true goodness. Vere is now at peace with himself. The orchestra stops playing and Vere’s voice is heard as the lights fade.

See also

In Spanish: Billy Budd para niños