Benjamin Britten (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976) was an English composer, conductor and pianist. He was a central figure of the 20^th century British classical music, with a range of works including opera, other vocal music, orchestral and chamber pieces.

The Midsummer Night`s Dream written under a year. The Jubilee Hall in Aldeburgh was undergoing a complete refurbishment and to celebrate its opening which took place on the 1960 Aldeburgh Festival a new opera needed. Because of the short time Britten and Peter Pears choose Shakespeare`s play as a libretto. Although Britten was suffering of depression and several health issues, he completed his music in time. The opening was threatened by Alfred Deller, the first Oberon fearing he was not prepared properly for an acting in an opera as the director John Cranko was inexperienced with opera. Eventually everything came together and the opera`s first performance took place on 11^th of June 1960, in the now beautifully renewed Jubilee Hall in Aldeburg. The opera entered the general operatic repertory and has become one of the most frequently performed operas written since the second world war.

A Midsummer Night`s Dream is a flexible piece. In one way it is an evening of sheer enchantment, a traditional fairy tale with plenty of comedy. On another it is a psychological treasure trove, purity, madness and cruelty crashing against each other to riveting effect. The music is filled with musical homage and satire, from Baroque through Schoenberg, referencing many classic works particularly in the riotous play within a play of “Pyramus and Thisbe”. The diverse and lively range of characters divide into three groups, each with a largely separate plot as in Shakespeare`s play. The rustics being given folk-like “simple” music, the lovers a more romantic sound world and the fairies being represented in a very ethereal way.

The opera opens with a chorus, played by boy sopranos. The introduction of a chorus of boy fairies means that the opera becomes greatly concerned with the theme of purity. Britten also pays attention to the play`s central motif: the madness of love.

Oberon argues with Tytania over a young changeling boy, then he sends Puck to find a magical flower which makes anyone fall in love with the next person they see. Next we meet Lysander, Hermina, Demetrius and Helena. They are variously chasing into the woods and form something of a love chain. Now we meet our third and final group, the six “mechanicals” or “rustics “basically working-class men. They are preparing to perform a play for the wedding of Theseus (Duke of Athens) to Hippolyta (Queen of the Amazons). Lost and totally exhausted Hermia and Lysander fall asleep in the woods, when Puck appears and thinking he has found Demetrius, he sprinkles the juice on Lysander. Helena wakes up Lysander who instantly fell in love with her. Nearby, Tytania fell asleep and Oberon appears and places the juice on her eyes.

The mechanicals meet later that same day for a rehearsal. They begin but soon they are spotted by Puck who decides to work some mischief and he turns Bottom`s head into a donkey causing the other mechanicals to flee in fear. Left alone Bottom sings to himself awakening the nearby Tytania, who instantly fell in love with him. Oberon found out that Demetrius is chasing Hermia, so he drips the juice on Demetrius eyes after he fell asleep. Unfortunately, things get even worse when Helena wakes Demetrius up who promptly falls in love with her. Oberon now is angry with Puck and instructs him to sort the couples out. Puck then leads the four away through the woods, applying the juice and antidote to them as they fall asleep.

It is nearly dawn. Oberon rouses Tytania, freeing her from the flower`s spell. The four lovers awaken, finally happily paired off. Bottom`s head returned normal, so he thinks it was only a dream. The other mechanicals who have been searching for Bottom come across him as he announces that their play is to be performed at court.

We leave the woods and arrive to Theseus and Hippolyta`s wedding day. The mechanicals deliver their ludicrous (and hilarious) Pyramus and Thisbe for the three couples. As the three couples retire to bed, Puck and the fairies return to bless the palace and its people.

References

Your Bibliography: Encyclopedia Britannica. (2019). Benjamin Britten | British composer. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Britten [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].

Your Bibliography: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. (2019). A Midsummer Night’s Dream. [online] Available at: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-plays/midsummer-nights-dream/ [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].