Britten's New Opera for Children: “Noye's Fludde”

Extract

Britten's setting of the Chester Miracle Play is an opera for children of any age, but teenagers prevail among its performers, in the orchestra pit as well as on the stage—numerically at least. God's voice, which directs the stage events, is represented by a speaker. Noah, the principal part, is a bass, of course. His wife is a contralto; and she appears as a quarrelsome, comic figure who brings some controversy into a play that otherwise offers little opportunity for dramatic conflict. But the bulk of the cast consists of children: Noah's sons Sem, Ham and Japhet, who have important parts to play; their wives, who help to build the ark; then there is a group of girls from condemned mankind, who are Mrs. Noah's gossips; and finally, there is a big chorus of quadrupeds and birds which Noah is called upon to save.