Peter Grimes: Passacaglia

Benjamin Britten: Passacaglia from Act II of Peter Grimes, followed by Grimes's dialogue with the boy

Interlude IV

Passacaglia

Scene 2

(Grimess hut is an upturned boat. It is on the whole shipshape, though bare and forbidding.
Ropes coiled, nets, kegs and casks furnish the place. It is lighted by a skylight.
There are two doors, one [back center] opens on the cliff, the other, downstage, opens on
the road. The boy staggers into the room as if thrust from behind. Peter follows, in a
towering rage. He pulls down the boys fishing clothes which were neatly stacked on a
shelf.)

(Peter)
Go there!
Heres your sea boots. Take those bright
And fancy buckles off your feet.
(He throws the sea boots down in front of the boy.)
Theres your oilskin and souwester.
Stir your pins, we must get ready!
There's the jersey that she knitted,
With the anchor that she patterned.
(He throws the clothes to the boy. They fall on the floor around him. The boy is crying
silently. Peter shakes his shoulder.)
Peter
Ill tear the collar off your neck.
Steady. Dont take fright, boy. Stop.
(Peter opens the cliff-side door and looks out.)
Look. Now is our chance!
The whole seas boiling. Get the nets.
Come, boy!
They listen to money
These Borough gossips,
Listen to money,
Only to money.
Ill fish the sea dry,
Flood the market.
Now is our chance to get a good catch
Get money to choke
Down rumour's throat.
I will set up
With house and home and shop.
Ill marry Ellen,
Ill...
(He turns to see the boy still sitting on the rope coil, weeping. He tears off his coat and
throws the jersey at him.)
Coat off! Jersey on! My boy
Were going to sea!

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[communication001]

@zebra166 I agree.

[zebra166]

The greatest piece Britten wrote in my opinion.

[lowell191]

i like this.

[joycyluo]

No many people to upload this music..such a pitty....

[videomakkers]

this is great

thanks