Noye's Fludde

Noye's Fludde (Noah's Flood) is a late 16th century mystery play from the Chester Mystery Cycle. It was set to music by Benjamin Britten in 1957 based on an edition by Alfred W. Pollard. Britten's opera, opus number 59, is written to be performed in a church or a large hall — but not in a theatre (Britten's request) — by a cast comprised primarily of amateurs. The orchestra calls for a small concertino ensemble of professionals consisting of stri... more

Noye's Fludde (Noah's Flood) is a late 16th century mystery play from the Chester Mystery Cycle. It was set to music by Benjamin Britten in 1957 based on an edition by Alfred W. Pollard. Britten's opera, opus number 59, is written to be performed in a church or a large hall — but not in a theatre (Britten's request) — by a cast comprised primarily of amateurs. The orchestra calls for a small concertino ensemble of professionals consisting of string quintet, recorder, piano (four hands), organ, and timpani. The amateur ripieno orchestra calls for strings, recorders, bugles, hand-bells, and percussion. The audience, which Britten refers to as the "congregation", is invited to join in by singing along in the three hymns inserted into the original text. The first performance was on 18 June 1958 in Orford Church, Suffolk, as part of the Aldeburgh Festival, with Owen Brannigan as Noye. Charles Mackerras conducted the English Opera Group and a local cast. Noye's Fludde opens with the... less