Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh Beach – Arthaus Musik Blu-ray

UPC: 807280810196

Product Features:

• Title: Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh Beach
• Composer: Benjamin Britten
• Conductor: Steuart Bedford
• Orchestra: Britten-Pears Orchestra
• Main Format: Blu-ray
  • Peter Grimes: Alan Oke
  • Ellen Orford: Giselle Allen
  • Captain Balstrode: David Kempster
  • Auntie: Gaynor Keeble
  • First Niece: Alexandra Hutton
  • Second Niece: Charmian Bedford
• Running Time: 141 minutes (Main performance), 20 minutes (Bonus features)
• Region: Worldwide
• Audio Formats: PCM Stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Subtitles: English (Original), German, French, Spanish
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 1080i High Definition
• Bonus Features: Introduction by Jonathan Reekie, interviews with cast members, time-lapse of set build
• Release Year: 2015

Overview

Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh Beach is a groundbreaking open-air production of Benjamin Britten’s masterwork, staged in June 2013 during the Aldeburgh Festival. This performance brings the opera back to the very location that inspired Britten's dark and powerful depiction of the sea and the isolated village. Directed by Tim Albery, this unique staging of Peter Grimes is filmed outdoors on the beach in Aldeburgh, battling the natural elements to bring this opera to life in an extraordinary way.

The lead role of Peter Grimes is played by Alan Oke, with a strong supporting cast including Giselle Allen as Ellen Orford and David Kempster as Captain Balstrode. Conducted by Steuart Bedford, the Britten-Pears Orchestra provides the perfect accompaniment to this immersive and visceral experience.

This film version, directed by Margaret Williams, captures the atmosphere of the live production, blending the haunting scenery of Aldeburgh with Britten’s most famous opera, hailed as one of the greatest achievements in British post-war music.

Interesting Facts

• Peter Grimes is set in a fictional fishing village and deals with themes of isolation, societal judgment, and the human struggle against nature—themes reflected in the choice to stage it on Aldeburgh Beach.
• This performance was part of the Aldeburgh Festival, which celebrates Britten's legacy and is held annually in his hometown of Aldeburgh.
• The role of Peter Grimes was originally created for Peter Pears, Britten's life partner, and remains one of the most challenging tenor roles in the opera repertoire.
• The open-air production faced weather challenges but triumphed, earning critical praise for its emotional impact and dramatic setting.
• The set and costume design, by Leslie Travers, further enhanced the connection between the opera’s themes and the harsh, rugged environment of the seaside setting.

Cast:

• Peter Grimes: Alan Oke
• Ellen Orford: Giselle Allen
• Captain Balstrode: David Kempster
• Auntie: Gaynor Keeble
• First Niece: Alexandra Hutton
• Second Niece: Charmian Bedford
• Bob Boles: Robert Murray
• Swallow: Henry Waddington
• Mrs. Sedley: Catherine Wyn-Rogers
• Ned Keene: Charles Rice
• Rev. Horace Adams: Christopher Gillett
• Hobson: Stephen Richardson

Publishers

• Arthaus Musik
• In collaboration with: Grimes on the Beach Film Ltd, Genesius Pictures, Arts Council England

Hashtags

#PeterGrimes #BenjaminBritten #AldeburghBeach #AlanOke #SteuartBedford #BrittenPearsOrchestra #ArthausMusik #OperaBluRay #OpenAirOpera #ClassicalMusic