Opera Scotland

Noyes Fludde Noah's Flood

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Music

Benjamin Britten (born Lowestoft, 12 November 1913; died Aldeburgh, 4 December 1976.

Text

Anon - Episode in Chester Miracle Plays.

Source

Medieval English Miracle Plays, Moralities and Interludes (ed A W Pollard).

 

Premieres

First Performance: Orford (Orford Church), 18 June 1958.

First Performance in Scotland: tbc.

Scottish Opera premiere: N/A.

 

Background

Noye's Fludde is the largest piece composed by Britten with children in mind as the performers. Only three of the soloists are intended for adult professional performers, along with some of the orchestral players. Noah's family and the pairs of animals (as many as possible), are played by children, and the episodes telling the story are interspersed with popular hymns in which the audience joins. It is a thoroughly enjoyable way in which to involve a community in assembling a performance, with the basically naive style of design - costumes and animal masks being made by the children and their parents - all adding to the charm.

 

Main characters

Noah (bass)

Mrs Noah (mezzo-soprano)

The Voice of God (speaker)