Benjamin Britten: Source Stories of Twelve Operas

"Benjamin Britten: Source Stories of Twelve Operas" is a comprehensive collection that delves into the origins of Benjamin Britten's renowned operas. Britten, one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century, drew inspiration from a wide range of sources such as the Bible and Japanese noh plays. This compilation features twelve of the original texts that served as the basis for his operas. With the exception of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which was derived from Charles Lamb's retelling, all other stories are presented in their original form. Some operas had to be omitted due to the unavailability of public domain texts for their source materials. This insightful collection provides a deeper understanding of Britten's creative process and the diverse narratives that influenced his iconic operatic works.