Barbican Hall, London
Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2
United Kingdom
020 7638 8891
http://www.barbican.org.uk/eticketingSteuart Bedford conductor
Christine Brewer Lady Billows
Gaynor Keeble Florence Pike
Gillian Keith Miss Wordsworth
Roderick Williams Mr Gedge
Adrian Thompson Mr Upfold
Matthew Rose Superintendent Budd
Marcus Farnsworth Sid
Andrew Staples Albert Herring
Kitty Whately Nancy
Catherine Wyn-Rogers Mrs Herring
Kenneth Richardson director
BBCSO
Albert Herring is the brightest, breeziest and wittiest of all Britten’s operas. A delightful chamber piece that follows the fortunes of down-trodden young simpleton Albert Herring, who is put forward by the grotesque village worthies to be ‘King of May’ because the local girls have all disgraced themselves. Young lovers Sid and Nancy spike his drink on May Day and enjoy the chaos that ensues, when he escapes humiliation and his mother’s clutches. Britten expert Steuart Bedford conducts a fabulous cast, including Christine Brewer as Lady Billows, Gillian Keith as Miss Wordsworth, Roderick Williams as Mr Gedge and rising star Andrew Staples as Albert himself.
Semi-stagingBenjamin Britten : Albert Herring