Opera Australia presents Billy Budd at the Sydney Opera House

Standing strong in the face of evil - that's Budd. - Teddy Tahu Rhodes

Good and evil. Black and white. Life and death. Stark choices lie at the heart of Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd. On one side is the goodness of Foretopman Billy, press-ganged into service on the Indomitable. On the other is the evil of Claggart, Master at Arms, whose sadistic pursuit of Billy is devoid of reason or justice. At the centre lies 'Starry' Captain Vere, a wellrespected and well-meaning servant of the British Navy. It is he who adjudicates between right and wrong. If only it were that straightforward.

Benjamin Britten's adaptation of Herman Melville's novella portrays the nuances and brutal realities of Captain Vere's moral maze with piercing clarity. Using a huge orchestral palette and an all-male cast, he creates a score which is so simple, so evocative and yet, when the time comes, so overwhelming.

Neil Armfield's acclaimed production returns under the expert baton of Richard Hickox and with a dream cast. Teddy Tahu Rhodes takes the title role for the first time, with John Wegner as black-hearted Claggart and after his unforgettable performances in Death in Venice we are thrilled to welcome back that outstanding interpreter of Britten's music, Philip Langridge as Captain Vere.

Schedule Details Departs:

• Wednesday 24 September, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Tuesday 30 September, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Wednesday 8 October, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Monday 13 October, 2008 at 7:30pm
• Thursday 16 October, 2008 at 7:30pm

Departure Point: The Sydney Opera House is located at Bennelong Point, on Sydney Harbour. The Opera Theatre can be reached from the Concourse (44 steps). Departure Time: Please refer to Departure Dates. Itinerary:

Billy Budd is based on Hermann Melville's short story about a foretopman in the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Billy is able-bodied, willing and possesses an almost unnatural beauty. So when he joins the crew of the Indomitable he attracts much attention, good and bad. Claggart, the Master at Arms, takes an instant dislike to him and eventually the Captain of the ship is drawn into the argument, and must decide Budd's fate.

During his trial it becomes obvious that Billy has a stammer and cannot articulate his innocence. In a fit of frustration he punches the Master at Arms who dies as a result. For this Billy is condemned to death.

Additional Information