BILLY BUDD Pears, Uppman, Dalberg; Britten (1951) (CD)

The historic world premiere performance of December 1, 1951, with Peter Pears, Theodor Uppman, Frederick Dalberg, Harvey Alan, Geraint Evans and Michael Langdon. Benjamin Britten conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
[1993, Mono, 3-CD, 153 minutes]

"These discs also preserve the live performances of Peter Pears as Captain Vere, his distinctive tenor sounding fresh and youthful...Theodore Uppman, whose suave baritone and spot-on delivery of Billy's music may never have been surpassed." New York Magazine

"This is the historical release of the year." "the performance, headed by American Uppman as the eponymous midshipman and Pears as Captain Vere, is unforgettable." "the documentary value of the release is incalcuable." San Francisco Examiner

"VAI's release brings us a performance that should be an important document even a century from now." Fanfare

"It is a document of the utmost importance." Weekend Telegraph

"These discs are a cause for profound gratitude." Sunday Telegraph