Opera North perform Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes

1. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

Opera North's production of Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, which is touring the north of the country, stopping in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle.

2. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

A stormy scene from Peter Grimes, from Opera North's current production.

3. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

Peter Grimes is one of Britten's most enduring works, originally adapted from George Crabbe's poem 'The Borough'.

4. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

Britten was first inspired to write the opera after holidaying in California in 1941, where he read the original George Crabbe poem.

5. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

The story itself is set in Aldeburgh, a place that became incredibly significant for Britten.

6. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

Grimes himself is a tortured character, teetering on the verge of victim and perpetrator.

7. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

The story begins with the death of Peter Grimes' young apprentice. The townspeople all think that Grimes is responsible, but all is not as it seems.

8. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

Peter Grimes holds the body of his apprentice aloft.

9. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

Opera North's production of Peter Grimes tells the chilling story of the titular fisherman, who may or may not be responsible for the death of an apprentice.

10. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

One of the most dramatic moments in the whole opera comes in the third act when, driven almost mad, Peter Grimes delivers a long, sung monologue.

11. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

The people of the town are depicted as a mob, possibly just as guilty as Peter Grimes himself.

12. Opera North's production of Peter Grimes

Opera North's production of Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, which is touring the north of the country, stopping in Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle.