Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod introduces part of Britten's cantata St Nicholas, premiered on the opening night of the very first Aldeburgh Festival in 1948, plus excerpts from two operas.

The first ever Aldeburgh Festival took place in June 1948. Donald Macleod introduces part of Britten's cantata St Nicholas, premiered on the opening night, plus extracts from two operas, both set in Suffolk - the dark tale of Peter Grimes, set in a fishing village based on Aldeburgh and the comedy Albert Herring, about a socially inept young man destined to be crowned May King.

1 hour

Last on

Tue 24 Jan 2012 18:30

Music Played

  • Benjamin Britten

    Spring Symphony (extract)

    Performer: Alison Hagley (soprano) Performer: Catherine Robbin (alto) Performer: John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Performer: Monteverdi Choir Performer: Philharmonia Choir Performer: John Eliot Gardiner

    • DG 453 433-2.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Serenade (Nocturne)

    Performer: Peter Pears (tenor) Performer: Dennis Brain (horn) Performer: Boyd Neel String Orchestra Performer: Conductor Benjamin Britten

    • Decca 425996-2.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Peter Grimes (extract)

    Performer: Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Peter) Performer: Felicity Lott (Ellen) Performer: Thomas Allen (Balstrode) Performer: Patricia Payne (Auntie) Performer: Maria Bovino, Gillian Webster (Nieces) Performer: Stuart Kale (Boles) Performer: Sarah Walker (Mrs Sedley) Performer: Simon Keenleyside (Ned) Performer: David Wilson-Johnson (Hobson) Performer: Christopher Lackner (Fisherman) Performer: Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Performer: Conductor Bernard Haitink

    • EMI CDS 754 832-2.
  • Benjamin Britten

    St Nicholas - No. VII: Nicholas and the Pickled Boys

    Performer: Robert Tear (tenor) Performer: Choir of King’s College, Cambridge Performer: Academy of St Martin in the Fields Performer: Conductor Sir David Willcocks

    • EMI CDM565112-2.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Albert Herring (extract)

    Performer: Josephine Barstow (Lady Billows) Performer: Felicity Palmer (Florence Pike) Performer: Peter Savidge (Vicar) Performer: Susan Gritton (Miss Wordsworth) Performer: Stuart Kale (Mayor) Performer: Robert Lloyd (Superintendent) Performer: Northern Sinfonia Performer: Conductor and piano Steuart Bedford

    • Naxos 8.660107-08.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 16 Nov 2010 12:00
  • Tue 16 Nov 2010 22:00
  • Tue 24 Jan 2012 12:00
  • Tue 24 Jan 2012 18:30

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.