| A Midsummer Night's Dream | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Benjamin Britten | |
&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:A_Midsummer_Night%27s_Dream_at_BMF_(2016).jpg) Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the 19th Beijing Music Festival (2016) | |
| Librettist | |
| Language | English |
| Based on | Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| Premiere | 11 June 1960 |
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 64, is an opera with music by Benjamin Britten and set to a libretto adapted by the composer and Peter Pears from William Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was premiered on 11 June 1960 at the Aldeburgh Festival, conducted by the composer and with set and costume designs by Carl Toms.[1] Stylistically, the work is typical of Britten, with a highly individual sound-world – not strikingly dissonant or atonal,[1] but replete with subtly atmospheric harmonies and tone painting. The role of Oberon was composed for the countertenor Alfred Deller. Atypically for Britten, the opera did not include a leading role for his partner Pears, who instead was given the comic drag role of Flute/Thisbe.
- ^ a b Whittall 1998.