Opera Guide and Synopsis: Peter Grimes, by Benjamin Britten

Peter Grimes is the second opera by twentieth century composer Benjamin Britten. It was commissioned by the conductor Serge Koussevitzky, a champion of Britten's work, whom Britten met while they were living in the United States. The opera is dedicated to Koussevitzky's wife, Natalie.

The story of Peter Grimes is based on the poem "The Borough" by George Crabbe, whose work Britten discovered through an article by E.M. Forster ("George Crabbe: the Poet and the Man"). The English libretto was adapted by Montagu Slater. Peter Grimes premiered in London on June 7, 1945, with Britten's partner Peter Pears in the title role. The orchestral interludes between acts are sometimes performed as concert pieces.

Characters in Peter Grimes

• Peter Grimes, a fisherman and outcast (Tenor)
• John, his apprentice (Silent)
• Mrs. Ellen Orford, schoolmistress (Soprano)
• Balstrode, a retired sea captain (Baritone)
• Auntie, landlady of the Boar Tavern (Contralto)
• Her two "nieces," employees at the Boar (Soprani)
• Robert Boles, a fisherman (Tenor)
• Mayor Swallow, a lawyer (Bass)
• Mrs. Sedley (Nabob), a widow (Soprano)
• Rector (Tenor)
• Dr. George Crabbe (Silent)
• Hobson (Bass)

Synopsis of Peter Grimes

The story takes place around 1830 in the small English fishing town of The Borough.

Prologue

An inquest is held to investigate the death of Peter Grimes' apprentice, who died when they blew off-course during a fishing trip and ran out of drinking water. When he returned to The Borough, only Ellen would help him carry the body back. Swallow finds that the death was an accident, but instructs Peter not to take on any new apprentices unless he gets a woman to look after him.

Act I

Scene 1

People of The Borough gather outside the Boar Tavern. Peter is given a new apprentice, and Ellen volunteers to look after him, lecturing the others ("Let she among you without fault"). Peter secretly wishes to marry Ellen, but rejects Balstrode's suggestion that she will marry him out of pity.

Scene 2

That night, people are gathered inside the Boar while a storm rages outside. Peter enters and sings about the storm ("Now the great Bear"); Boles believes him crazy and tries to hit him over the head, but Balstrode intervenes.

A strange round begins, with everyone singing different tunes ("Old Joe has gone fishing"). Peter enters with his own tune, still the outsider. Ellen enters with Peter's new apprentice, whom Peter insists on taking home immediately despite the storm.

Act II

Scene 1

On a nice Sunday morning several weeks later, Ellen sits outside church knitting and thinking about her possible future with Peter. She sees Peter's apprentice and notices bruises on his neck; Peter has broken his promise not to mistreat the boy.

When Ellen confronts Peter, he explains that he pushes his apprentice because he can make The Borough accept him if only he becomes wealthy enough. Ellen challenges this plan, and he hits her. The others gather and determine to go after Grimes, despite the please of Ellen and Balstrode.

Scene 2

In Peter's hut, he expresses his wish to settle down with Ellen and have children, but seems haunted by his dead apprentice. The people of The Borough arrive, and Peter pushes his apprentice out of the hut, causing him to fall over the cliff. No one realizes this, however; they only compliment Peter on the neatness of his hut.

Act III

Scene 1

Outside the Boar several days later, Ellen and Balstrode enter. They have found the jacket of Peter's apprentice, but both Peter and the boy are missing though the boat has not left. Mrs. Sedley eventually manages to convince the others to form a search party.

Scene 2

Ellen and Balstrode discover Peter beside his boat, half-mad and raving. Balstrode advises him to sail out as far as he can, then sink the boat; in a trance, Peter agrees.

The mob disperses when they fail to locate Peter. The next day, Swallow notes that a boat has been reported sunk, but they dismiss it as a rumor and go about their business.

Sources:

• Peter Grimes, Op. 33 from the Britten-Pears Foundation
• Simon, Henry W. 100 Great Operas and Their Stories. Garden City: Dolphin, 1960.