| Robin Hood | |
|---|---|
| Ballad opera byMichael Tippett | |
| Librettist | Tippett |
| Language | English |
| Based on | Robin Hood |
| Premiere | |
Robin Hood is aballad opera byMichael Tippett based on the legend ofRobin Hood. Composed in 1934, the score remains unpublished. However, Tippett later used an expanded version of theoverture as the finale to his 1948Suite in D major (For the Birthday of Prince Charles).[1]
During theGreat Depression of the 1930s, Tippett was hired to organize the musical life at theCleveland Work Camps for unemployed miners inNorth Yorkshire. As part of his work there, he revised and abridged John Gay'sThe Beggar's Opera for performances in the church hall next to the Miners' Institute inBoosbeck. Encouraged by its success, he composed a ballad opera of his own,Robin Hood, with a subtext that reflected the difficulties faced by the unemployed miners. At this time in his life Tippett was involved with radical left-wing politics and the libretto reflected these socialist views. Performers in the opera included friends of the composer such asWilfred Franks, and local miners such as Tom Batterbee.[2] It was first performed in 1934 by the local villagers, miners, and students at the work camps. Although a success both with the participants and the audience, the work bears little resemblance to the composer's mature style, and Tippett would later not allow it to be performed.[3] Nevertheless, some of the songs from the opera were sung again in 2009 at the Station Hotel in Boosbeck and recorded for the BBC Radio 3 Programme Music Matters.[4]
| Opera |
|
|---|---|
| Orchestral works |
|
| Concertos |
|
| Choral music |
|
| Vocal music |
|
| Collaborations | |
| Related articles | |
