1992 saw a break in the operatic routine for the Perth Festival, where the expectation of a popular Mozart opera had become entrenched. This time, something of a rarity was tried in the form of the first of Britten's church parables. The other two would follow eventually. The performances took place in the ideally intimate and atmospheric medieval church in the centre of town - St John's Kirk. The Perth Festival Opera Ensemble, six players plus John Currie himself playing chamber organ, sounded just right.
The only departure from tradition (if this piece can be said to have developed a performing tradition) came with the transformation of the performers into pilgrims, instead of monks - perhaps the bass was too young to be a convincing abbot, but then was he any more appropriate as leader of a group of pilgrims? Never mind, this piece, in this venue, should be down for revival.
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