Benjamin Britten believed that music should be accessible and appeal to the widest possible audience. Therefore, he wrote works that often the youngest generation of performers and amateur musicians. One of such compositions is the colourful and attractive children’s opera Noye’s Fludde, which will be presented during Wratislavia Cantans.
Britten chose the story of the flood and Noah’s ark described in the Book of Genesis as the theme of his opera. The inspiration for composing the work came from the mystery plays performed in Chester in the 15th century, i.e. dramatised stories based on biblical themes. In addition to religious and didactic topics, they often included comic situations reflecting everyday lives. This is how Noah’s relationship with his wife is treated in the work. The woman is more interested in gossiping and feasting with her friends than in building the ark, and when Noah’s sons finally force her onto the ship, she repays her husband with a harsh slap in the face. Nearly all parts are intended for amateur singers and children. The role of God is spoken, while the parts of the protagonist and his wife are sung by professionals. The orchestra accompanying them is not very large and is divided into two ensembles. In one of them (which includes a string quartet, piano, timpani, and recorder) professionals play, while in the other (drums) - mainly amateurs.
Britten’s music is easy to listen to, and the multitude of percussion instruments used by the composer creates interesting tone-colour effects. This happens, for example, in the flood scene, in which the timbre suggestively creates a mood of horror – the music imitates the sounds of thunder and a violent downpour or great waves flooding the land around the ship. The work had its premiere at the Aldeburgh Festival in June 1958 and received rave reviews, in which critics appreciated both the involvement of the youngest performers and the artistic values of the work. Even today, Noye’s Fludde is considered one of the most beautiful operas in which children have the role of not only listeners, but also performers.
