Billy Budd

"Billy Budd" was Herman Melville's final novel, released 33 years posthumously. It tells the story of abeautiful, gregarious English sailor during the Napoleonic Wars who finds himself in conflict with his Master-at-arms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Herman Melville (1819-1891) Most famously the author of Moby Dick but his best work is Bartleby the Scrivener (1853) - “I would prefer not to.” Billy Budd (1891) - left unfinished at this death Our preferred adaptation is a loose one - Beau Travail directed by Claire Denis (1999) As adapted into an opera by Benjamin Britten - Billy Budd (1951) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6cdCuKhjKM Thank you to Powerbleeder for the theme song "Future Mind" listen here! Other Music: "Farewell to thee, old Rights o' Man" from the Billy Budd opera by Bitten

Along with special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Pigweed's homebrew clone of Steady Eddy IPA, then discuss Melville's last major work. The story of Billy Budd is carefully crafted to create a tale of moral confusion and conflict. Set after the French revolution, and very shortly after two significant mutinies in the British fleet, the innocent Billy has run afoul of the law on a British warship. His case cries out for leniency, but it's not a time for leniency. The story makes you believe Melville was struggling with the conflict between justice and mercy. This is a short, dense work, that's well worth your attention.

On June 26 at 10 am PT, LA Opera On Air will return to KUSC radio station with a broadcast of "Billy Budd." With an all-male cast of 25 solo roles, and vast choral and orchestral forces, all conducted by James Conlon, it’s the most grandly scaled of Britten’s many operas. Liam Bonner, Richard Croft and Greer Grimsley take the leading roles. And, of course, June is also Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. Benjamin Britten, the composer, was an openly gay man in a time and place where homosexuality was illegal. In this Behind the Curtain conversation, LA Opera's Connects Vice President Stacy Brightman speaks with Dr. Mitchell Morris, UCLA's chair of Musicology and chair for LGBTQ Studies; Dr. Morris speaks about Britten, his work, and how or if this opera is relevant in relation to how far the LGBTQ community has come since the opera’s premiere in 1951. Please note, this frank conversation touches on adult themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

As part of LA Opera's On Now digital offerings, we are thrilled to be sharing an audio performance of "Billy Budd" beginning Tuesday, April 27th at 5:00 p.m. PT. on LA Opera's website, Facebook and YouTube (links below)."Billy Budd" was composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by English novelist E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier, based on the short novel "Billy Budd" by Herman Melville. LA Opera's production, from February and March 2014, was conducted by James Conlon with Stage Direction by Francesca Zambello.In anticipation of the audio presentation, we are delighted to share, from the vaults, Mo. Conlon's pre-performance talk on this opera and composer he adores.LA Opera website: https://www.laopera.org/discover/la-opera-on-now/la-opera-on-now-all-events/from-the-vault-billy-budd-audio-stream/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAOperaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/laopera

Bill Budd is a beautiful man. Not just good looking, but exquisitely good natured, something that costs him no effort and has required no instruction. And yet it is ultimately his beautiful soul and good nature that get Billy killed. Wes & Erin discuss Herman Melville’s final and unfinished work of fiction, and whether a good heart and good intentions are more important than obedience to authority and adherence to civilized norms. Subscribe: (sub)Text won’t always be in the PEL feed, so please subscribe to us directly: Apple | Spotify | Android | RSS Bonus content: The conversation continues on our after-show (post)script. Get this and other bonus content at by subscribing at Patreon. Follow (sub)Text: Twitter | Facebook | Website Thanks to Nick Ketter for the audio editing on this episode.

Bill Budd is a beautiful man. Not just good looking, but exquisitely good natured, something that costs him no effort and has required no instruction. And yet it is ultimately his beautiful soul and good nature that get Billy killed. Wes & Erin analyze Herman Melville’s final and unfinished work of fiction, and whether a good heart and good intentions are more important than obedience to authority and adherence to civilized norms.The conversation continues on our after-show (post)script. Get (post)script episodes by becoming a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science.Email sales@advertisecast.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast.Follow: Twitter | Facebook | WebsiteThanks to Nick Ketter for the audio editing on this episode.

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