BILLY BUDD:Britten
Original Air Date: 03/08/1997
Bedford; Croft, Langridge, Morris, Braun, Courtney
MOD AudioMOD Video SID.18410425
SR: Any opportunity to hear Billy Budd is not to be missed. This broadcast was also the “scratch” performance for the telecast taping on 3/11. A very strong conductor and cast really put the work over. Outstanding among many fine performances are James Morris’ unequalled Claggart, the late Philip Langridge’s haunting portrayal of Capt. Vere and Dwayne Croft’s Billy. The performance makes a good case for those who consider Billy Budd Britten’s strongest work.
RWW: This broadcast precedes the telecast performance from 3 days later. The video was recently added to MOoD, and it’s an outstanding performance, starting with Dwayne Croft, and ably partnered by Philip Langridge as Vere and James Morris as Claggart.