A stand-out cast celebrates the 60th anniversary of Britten’s Curlew River with this new staging in the magnificent setting of Blythburgh Church, the “cathedral of the marshes”.

This performance features musicians from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme, with current Young Artists sharing the stage with their established colleagues, led by music director Audrey Hyland. Audrey was staff pianist on BPYAP courses, a role which was first undertaken by Viola Tunnard, who assisted Britten in the original production of Curlew River.

Britten:

Curlew River – A Parable for Church Performance, Op.71 (75’)

Ian Bostridge Madwoman
Duncan Rock Ferryman
Peter Brathwaite Traveller
Willard White Leader of the Pilgrims/Abbot
Matthew Jones Spirit of the Boy

Chorus of Pilgrims:
Thomas Elwin
Tom Herford
Hugo Brady
Jonathan Eyers
Felix Kemp
Jolyon Loy
Francis Brett
Jack Comerford

Deborah Warner director
Christof Hetzer designer
Mike Gunning lighting designer
Isabelle Kettle assistant director

Hannah Gillingham flute
George Strivens horn
Luca Wadham viola
Lucía Moreno double bass
Miriam Keogh harp
Stephen Hiscock percussion
Jo Ramadan chamber organ
Audrey Hyland music director

A co-production with Ad Lib Productions
Dominic Best film director