Britten's operas often focus on the way particular worlds deal with an outsider. The outsider in Billy Budd is a young man, press-ganged into naval service on the HMS Idomitable around 1797. His story is told in an opera-length flashback by the ship's captain, Edward Fairfax Vere, who is racked by guilt over Billy's fate. Billy's optimism, good-heartedness and trusting nature wins over all but the most venal of the downtrodden crew. He's keen for promotion, but his charisma and beauty cause the evil master-at-arms, John Claggart (who resembles Iago in Shakespeare's Othello), to plot his destruction.
Billy's fatal flaw is that, under pressure, he suffers from a crippling stutter. When Claggart falsely accuses him of fomenting mutiny, in front of a sceptical Vere, Billy cannot find the words to defend himself and strikes Claggart dead. At the subsequent court-martial, Vere must follow the letter of the Articles of War and Billy is condemned to death. Typically, just before his execution, Billy cries out in praise of Vere. Now a very old man, Vere concludes that Billy's blessing has, in fact, saved him.
Other performances we recommend...
The Barber of Seville
Rossini
| Classic Revival
Jonathan Miller’s elegant staging of Rossini’s comic masterpiece
Book Now
The Pilgrim's Progress
Vaughan Williams
| New Production
ENO’s highly anticipated new production of Vaughan Williams’s sublime opera
Book NowBook your ticket
Secret Seat
Buy a £20 unallocated seat in advance and we’ll guarantee you a seat worth £25 or more on the night – you could even end up in the stalls or dress circle! Bookable online only – you’ll get a confirmation of your payment immediately, and three days before the performance we’ll email you your actual seat number.
Available for all ENO shows from September and selected shows before. (Sorry – Secret Seat is not available for guest company productions)
TELL ME MORE
Subscriptions
Subscribe and save
Enjoy discounts of between 5% and 20% if you book three or more operas from our Autumn 2013/Spring 2014 season, and receive priority booking.
TELL ME MORE
Food and Drink at ENO
FOOD AND DRINK AT THE LONDON COLISEUM
Make the most of your visit to the London Coliseum by pre-booking your food and drink in advance. With a wide selection of bars and restaurants and a range of menus we have something to suit every occasion.
Call our catering team on 020 7845 9202 or
Find Out More
Make a Donation
Invest in the Future of Opera
Please make a donation to help support ENO's mission to produce distinctive, world-class opera that remains affordable and accessible to the widest possible audience. Your donation also supports our commitment to showcase the best of English opera and nurture British talent.
Donate
Be part of ENO
Join the Friends of ENO today!
Support the work of this award-winning company and enjoy privileges including priority booking, dress rehearsals from only £7, special events and much more…
Learn More
Join Now
