The Prodigal Son (Britten)

Synopsis#

The story centers on a farm family, which consists of a father and his two sons. Servants also help with working the land. The elder son and the servants leave to work the fields for the day. The younger son hears a voice that tempts him to indulge his “most secret longings”. The younger son asks his father for his inheritance, which the father grants. The younger son makes his way to the city. There, he is deprived of his fortune and left penniless. The younger son then returns home and asks his father’s forgiveness. His father receives his younger son with rejoicing, but the elder son is initially angry at his father’s reaction, after he himself has loyally worked the fields. The father rebukes his elder son, and asks him to be reconciled to his younger brother, who has returned to restore the family.

Recordings#

Britten and Viola Tunnard directed the first recording of the work, for the Decca label (original listing, Decca SET 438) with the premiere’s cast and players. The full cast of singers is: * Tempter/Abbot: Peter Pears * The Father: John Shirley-Quirk * The Younger Son: Robert Tear * The Elder Son: Bryan Drake * Chorus of Servants, Parasites and Beggars: Paschal Allen, Carl Duggan, David Hartley, Philip Hooper, Peter Leeming, John McKenzie, Clive Molloy, Paul Wade * Young Servants and Distant Voices: Gerald Beauchamp, Michael Butler, Jonathan Fox, Richard Hopkins, David Rookwood

References#

Notes Sources *Holden, Amanda (Ed.), Viking Opera Guide ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)

External links#

• Britten-Pears Foundation page on The Prodigal Son
• Recordings of The Prodigal Son on operadis-opera-discography.org.uk