Allan Clayton Leads Vivid Glyndebourne Billy Budd Revival

The Glyndebourne revival of Michael Grandage's production of Benjamin Britten's opera "Billy Budd" features several strong performances, with Allan Clayton's portrayal of Captain Vere being particularly noteworthy. Thomas Mole and Sam Carl offer persuasive interpretations of Billy Budd and John Claggart, respectively. The production, originally premiered at Glyndebourne in 2010, is now under the direction of Ian Rutherford.

The set design by Christopher Oram presents HMS Indomitable as a claustrophobic, Brutalist structure with a curved deck, evoking a sense of constant scrutiny for the opera's ensemble of male sailors. Paule Constable's lighting adds a subtle, painterly quality to the harsh environment. The costumes, ranging from spotless Napoleonic naval uniforms to grubby workwear, contribute to the palpable charge of the performance, described as visceral, violent, and erotic.

The narrative lines of goodness, embodied by Billy Budd, and malevolence, represented by John Claggart, are clearly delineated. Claggart's actions, driven by what librettist E.M. Forster described as "sexual discharge gone evil," ultimately lead to Budd's demise. Budd is depicted with physical ease, while Claggart's presence is characterized by cowering and barking. The production explores themes of unspoken love and power dynamics within the confined setting of the ship at war, with Claggart's bullying of the Novice being a specific instance of this tension.