Chorus of Opera North, Chorus of Guildhall School, Britten-Pears Orchestra

Peter Grimes is an outside in 'The Borough', a fictionalised version of Aldeburgh that first appeared in George Crabbe's poem in 1910. Yet in contrast to Crabbe's sadistic fisherman, Britten's Grimes emerges as an enigmatic anit-hero. Is he responsible for the death of his young apprentice? Is he mad, evil or a misunderstood visionary?

Britten's early masterpiece has captured the imagination of audiences around the world ever since its premiere in the aftermath of the second world war. First written for Peter Pears, the role of Grimes is sung by Alan Oke, who received huge critical acclaim for his portrayal of Aschenbach in the 2007 Aldeburgh Festival production of Death In Venice.