METROPOLITAN OPERA BROADCASTS: PETER GRIMES,
TAPE 1 OF 2 {PROLOGUE, ACTS I AND II} (RADIO)
Summary
Part one of two. One in this series of performances by
the Metropolitan Opera. In this program, the
Metropolitan Opera company performs Benjamin Britten's
opera "Peter Grimes," a tragedy in three acts with a
prologue and epilogue. As the program begins, Geraldine
Souvain comments on August Belmont, the "first lady of
opera," and declares her birthday (December 13) Opera
Celebration Day. In the opera's prologue, Peter Grimes
is at a coroner's inquest regarding the death of his
apprentice during a fishing trip. Although the angry
townspeople are convinced that Peter is guilty, the
court acquits him with a warning. The disappointed
citizens leave, but Ellen Orford, a schoolmistress whom
Peter hopes to marry someday, remains behind to
reassure him and promises to help him clear his name.
Their duet begins with the words, "The truth, the pity,"
and is followed by the orchestral interlude "Dawn." In
Act I, Peter must work without help because the other
fishermen shun him. Ned Keene, the apothecary, finds a
new apprentice for Peter, and although he has been
warned not to hire another boy, he hires him because he
needs help. Ellen offers to go along with Hobson, the
local carrier, to pick up the boy. A storm is raging as
the villagers return to their homes, leaving Peter alone
with Captain Balstrode, a retired skipper. In a duet
beginning with the words, "Grimes, since you are a
lonely soul," the old man vainly advises Peter to leave
the village. The second orchestral interlude follows.
In the local pub, towspeople seek shelter from the
storm. When Peter arrives, he hears that the cart
bringing Ellen and the boy has been delayed by flooding
on the coastal roads. Peter sings a strange, paranoid
song, and the others decide he is either drunk or
completely mad. To break the mood, Auntie sings an old
sea shanty and the others join in. Finally, Ellen
arrives with the lad, and Peter sweeps him into his arms
and carries him back out into the storm, headed for his
desolate hut. During the intermission, "Reflections on
'Peter Grimes'" is the topic covered on "Opera News on
the Air" with John Kelshaw. In Act II, the storm has
ended and the townspeople attend church on a sunny
Sunday morning. Among them is Ellen with John, Peter's
new apprentice. Ellen notices that his shirt is ripped
and he has several bruises. Thinking of the allegations
against Peter, she encourages the boy to tell her about
his work, but she gets no response. Peter arrives to
fetch John, and Ellen urges Peter to give the boy some
rest, which prompts an argument. Peter strikes Ellen
and leaves with John. While leaving church, the
townspeople hear the quarrel and the men decide to go up
to the hut to find out the truth about Grimes for
themselves, while the women remain behind. Sponsored
by Texaco. Continues with R:3140.
(Network affiliation varies; as above, 1960 to the
present; NBC, 1931-1943; Blue Network, 1943-1945;
ABC, 1945-1958; CBS, 1958-1960.)
Details
- NETWORK: Syndicated
- DATE: December 10, 1977 2:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:01:00
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R:3137
- GENRE: Radio - Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Operas
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated - Radio series, 1960-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Benjamin Britten … Composer
- John Pritchard … Conductor
- David Stivender … Choral Director, Chorus Master
- Metropolitan Opera Orchestra … Symphony Orchestra
- Bodo Igesz … Stage Director
- John Kelshaw … Host, "Opera News on the Air"
- Peter Allen … Announcer
- Geraldine Souvain … Introduction by
- Jon Vickers … Cast, Peter Grimes, Singer
- Andrij Dobriansky … Cast, Hobson, Singer
- Morley Meredith … Cast, Swallow, Singer
- Jean Kraft … Cast, Mrs. Sedley, Singer
- Heather Harper … Cast, Ellen Orford, Singer
- Adam Wallach … Cast, the boy, John, Singer
- Donald Gramm … Cast, Captain Balstrode, Singer
- Donald Peck … Cast, a fisherman, Singer
- Lili Chookasian … Cast, Auntie, Singer
- Paul Franke … Cast, Bob Boles, Singer
- Nadyne Brewer … Cast, a fisherwoman, Singer
- James Atherson … Cast, Rev. Horace Adams, Singer
- Alma Jean Smith … Cast, Niece, Singer
- Betsy Norden … Cast, Niece, Singer
- Gene Boucher … Cast, Ned Keene, Singer
- William Mellow … Cast, a lawyer, Singer
- August Belmont