Libretti Literati Virtual Opera Book Club discussion

How are you feeling about the book so far?

I was fairly surprised by the lack of allusions to homosexuality, which I saw so plainly in Britten's adaptation. Of course, Benjamin Britten did more closely view the relationship between jaded, scornful-to-sociopathic Claggart and the naïve, ingenue-esque Billy Budd as more of a personal projection, of older men (Britten himself) amazed by the innocence and hope of younger generations, and then why may harbor an inner envy.

This is an opera through and through, though. It's written 50% exposition (here are the characters, here are their circumstances) and 50% dramatic change of action creates a fateful and destructive, beautiful, reflective tragedy.

I have a few more thoughts but can't wait to talk about it at the meeting! :)

Meeting tonight! don't forget to RSVP to get the zoom info:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/libretti...