An opera in four acts op. 50
Text E.M. Forster 1897-1970 and Eric Crozier 1914-1994 adapted from the story of Herman Melville 1819-1891 German translation by Alfred H. Unger
Revised September 1960; reduced to two acts
First performance 1 Dec 1951 Royal Opera House Covent Garden London Benjamin Britten conductor Douglas Robinson - chorus master Peter Pears - Captain Vere Theodor Uppman - Billy Budd
Duration 152.0`
Commissioned The Arts Council of Great Britain for the Festival of Britain 1951
Dedication To George and Marion December 1951

4 acts version 1951
Prologue
Act I duration 35
Scene 1 The main deck and quarter-deck of HMS Indomitable
Deleted scene from original four act version
Act II duration 45
Scene 1 The Captains cabin
Scene 2 The berth-deck
Act III duration 46
Scene 1 The main deck and quarter-deck
Scene 2 The Captains cabin
Act IV duration 26
Scene 1 A bay of the upper gun-deck
Scene 2 The main deck and quarter-deck
Epilogue

2 act version 1960
Prologue
Act I
Scene 1 The main deck and quarter-deck of HMS Indomitable
Scene 2 The Captains cabin
Scene 3 The berth-deck
Act II
Scene 1 The main deck and quarter-deck
Scene 2 The Captain`s cabin
Scene 3 A bay of the upper gun-deck
Scene 4 The main deck and quarter-deck
Epilogue