An introduction to Paul Bunyan

The story of the giant Paul Bunyan, has been told to American Lumberjacks since the early 1900s. According to the tall-tales, Paul and his larger-than-life clan constructed some of America’s most famous landmarks. The Mississippi river was formed when a tank of water Paul was pulling along acquired a leak and trickled downstream, eventually becoming the famous river. Paul also accidentally created the Grand Canyon when dragging a heavy axe behind him as he searched for firewood.

In 1958, Disney actually created a short musical film based on the North American lumberjack. Paul Bunyan went on to receive an Academy Award nomination, but lost to Looney Tunes.

Since the 1920s, the eponymous statues have attracted passers by. The roadside attraction, based in Minnesota, has been on the National Register of Historic places since 1988, and was stated as ‘second most photographed statues in the United States’, behind Mount Rushmore.

After negative reviews, Britten withdrew the operetta from performance

The first staging on the production was said to be troubled by dramatic flaws. After its first performances in New York, Britten withdrew Paul Bunyan for 35 years, when it was revised in 1976 with only a few improvements.

Peter Grimes is often regarded as one of the masterpieces of post-war opera, which is surprising considering it was only Britten’s second opera. Britten’s time in the states, in which he wrote Paul Bunyan, was crucial in bringing out his attachment to England, and especially his affection for his native East Anglia.

Britten was inspired to write Peter Grimes after reading a poem by Suffolk-born George Crabbe. In 1942 he returned to the UK and began writing his most celebrated opera.