Opera Club: Britten’s ‘Peter Grimes’

The Opera Club will hold a free screening of Benjamin Britten’s post WWII opera “Peter Grimes” on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 1:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse 3 Learning Center. The opera depicts the tension between the individual and society. President Margaret Gillon will introduce that tale, first revealed in the poet George Crabbe’s work “The Borough,” wherein an individual with his normal array of shortcomings finds himself at loggerheads with what people in his community think of him.

The prologue depicts a fisherman Peter Grimes, whose apprentice died at sea of thirst and starvation during a storm, after which Grimes is suspected of wrongdoing by the villagers. Only the schoolmistress, Ellen Oxford, who is romantically interested in Peter, is immune to such feelings. However Peter is obsessed with fishing and hopes thereby to become prosperous. The music captures both the freedom and the fear of the sea in an admirably amazing way.

Act 1 reveals that an inquest into the death shows that the villagers distrust Peter, and Ellen is unable to persuade him into finding another occupation. In Act 2, when Ellen observes bruises on John, the replacement apprentice, her relationship to Peter collapses. Act 3 finds the villagers organizing a search for Peter, after the new apprentice, John has disappeared (having fallen off a cliff and died). Peter Grimes then escapes by going off to sea, where he sinks his boat and dies. The dilemma is ended.

“Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh Beach” was filmed in June 2013 during three performances that took place during the Aldeburgh Festival. It is a filmed interpretation of Britten’s “Peter Grimes,” which became the most successful opera of post-war Britain.

People are encouraged to wear masks indoors. No dues or fees are collected. For more information, contact Margaret Gillon at 562-370-3844 or margaretgi@yahoo.com. This opera is performed in English and will be shown with English subtitles.

—Sylvan Von Burg

This opera was filmed in June 2013.