Billy Budd is an opera in four acts by the English composer Benjamin Britten (see Britten, Benjamin ). The libretto (text), by E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier, was based on an unfinished story by the American author Herman Melville. Britten conducted the first performance of Billy Budd at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on Dec. 1, 1951.
Billy Budd is unusual among operas because it has no female role. The story of the opera is related as a memory of a long-ago incident by Vere, an aging former naval captain. The setting is a British warship under Vere’s command at the time of the Napoleonic wars. H.M.S. Indomitable is short of crew and Billy Budd, a young merchant seaman, is pressed (forced) into service aboard it. Budd is an honest, naturally pleasant young man who has a stammer. He immediately becomes an easy target for the master-at-arms, John Claggart, a bully who resents Billy’s natural decency and charm. Claggart hounds Budd and even tries to bribe him into leading a mutiny.
Eventually, Claggart falsely accuses Budd of treachery to Vere. Vere, a man much respected by Budd, calls the young man to his cabin. Presented with Claggart’s allegation, a confused and tongue-tied Budd is unable to defend himself against the accusation. In his frustration, he lashes out and kills Claggart. Convicted by a court of the ship’s officers, Budd is sent to the gallows. As he is about to hang, he shouts out “Starry Vere, God bless you,” a cry taken up by the crew. Remembering the events years later, Vere is still haunted by the belief that he could have rescued Budd from execution.
