Britten Thematic Catalogue

Beta Version

BTC1129 THE GOLDEN VANITY

A vaudeville for boys and piano after the old English ballad, op. 78
Composition date: 26 Aug 1966
Date notes

The idea for an 'opera' by the Wiener Sängerknaben was first mooted by the choir during Britten's visit to Vienna in October 1964. By May 1966 Britten had chosen the subject, and was planning the work with Colin Graham.

First performance: 3 Jun 1967 >>
Type of performance: Concert performance
Location: Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh Festival
Performance details:

Vienna Boys' Choir, directed by Anton Neyder pf

Genre: Stage work
Text: Colin Graham (1931-2007)
Performing forces:

According to the note in the score: 'The Vaudeville should be given in costume but without scenery . . . The action . . .should be mimed in a simple way and only a few basic properties, such as telescopes and a rope, are needed . . . A drum should be used for the sound of cannon fire.'

Duration: 17'
Dedication: 'Fur die Wiener Sängerknaben'

Notes

The work is based on one of the melodies associated with the old English ballad, printed in English county songs, collected and ed. L. Broadwood and J.A. Fuller Maitland (London: The Leadenhall Press, 1893).

Britten used the same melody as the basis for an unfinished work for voice and piano in ca. 1941-42, but the two works are otherwise unrelated. See The golden vanity.

All content copyright (C) Britten-Pears Foundation 2012 unless stated. Please note all BTC numbers are provisional at this stage.