Billy Budd: Benedict Nelson sings Billy in the Darbies solo

Benedict Nelson, playing the title role in Billy Budd, gives Kirsten O'Brien a taste of the opera's music during the second week of rehearsals when he sings the aria 'Billy in the Darbies' accompanied by piano. About the production ENO continues to refresh its Britten repertoire with this new production by the team behind ENO's award-winning Peter Grimes. A metaphysical battle between good and evil fought out aboard a British man-o'-war, Britten's richly orchestrated all-male opera was originally commissioned for the 1951 Festival of Britain and is considered to be one of the composer's finest works. Starring Benedict Nelson (a 'standout' Demetrius in 2011's A Midsummer Night's Dream) as Billy, Matthew Rose as Claggart, the malevolent master-at-arms, and Kim Begley as Vere, the morally conflicted captain, this new staging reunites the award-winning director-conductor partnership of David Alden and Edward Gardner from 2009's Peter Grimes. Performances June 18, 23, 27, & July 3, 5 at 7pm | June 30 at 6pm | July 8 at 3pm 7 performances. Running time: 2hrs 55mins www.eno.org