Deborah Warner’s celebrated production of Benjamin Britten‘s bleak operatic parable PETER GRIMES returns to The Royal Opera this May for its first revival since its sell-out premiere in 2022.
Much of the cast from the 2022 premiere return to their roles, including renowned tenor Allan Clayton as the tortured Peter Grimes, Bryn Terfel as the menacing Captain Balstrode, and Maria Bengtsson as Ellen Orford.
Also returning are Jacques Imbrailo as Ned Keene, Catherine Wyn-Rogers as Auntie and John Graham-Hall as Bob Boles. Additionally, Clive Bayley performs the role of Swallow, while Christine Rice performs as Mrs Sedley and Barnaby Rea as Hobson.
Music Director of The Royal Opera Jakub Hrůša conducts the full opera of PETER GRIMES for the first time with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
The story of a fisherman in a small coastal town who becomes increasingly ostracised from the seaside community when he becomes the subject of its suspicions, Warner’s production explores the interaction between paranoia and mob mentality in a poignant demonstration of the conflict between individual and group.
PETER GRIMES is part of The Royal Opera’s Britten cycle, reimagining Britten’s works in contemporary settings. Directed by Warner, the show features choreography from her long-standing collaborator Kim Brandstrup, set design by Michael Levine, costume design from Luis Carvalho, and lighting design by Peter Mumford.
PETER GRIMES plays seven performances on the Main Stage at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, from 5 to 28 May 2026.
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