United Kingdom Britten, Albert Herring: Soloists, members of the Orchestra of English National Opera / Daniel Cohen (conductor). Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Salford, 22.10.2025. (MC)
This welcome production of Britten’s opera Albert Herring at the Lowry, Salford marked the long-anticipated debut of English National Opera in the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, the area of its proposed new headquarters.
For Herring Britten’s librettist was Eric Crozier who had already collaborated on Britten’s first two operas, Peter Grimes in 1945 and The Rape of Lucretia a year later. Crozier based Herring loosely on Guy de Maupassant’s French novella Le Rosier de Madame Husson (1887).
Premiered at Glyndebourne in 1947 Herring is a rather frivolous and amusing chamber opera set in the small Suffolk town of Loxford. Following its premiere Herring was popular for a few years before performances became uncommon. Stage director and designer Antony McDonald acknowledges that Herring is an ‘obscure’ work that ‘doesn’t get performed very much’ but I admit surprise that ENO had not previously performed the work.
Originally set in the spring of 1900, for this ENO revival of Herring McDonald brought matters forward to post-war 1947, contemporaneous with the time Britten wrote it. I notice that McDonald’s set has been described as ‘pared down’. It was certainly basic but none the worse for that as a more complex set can often detract from the actors and the text. Foremost on the stage were two shop fronts, around a couple of feet apart, constructed of what looked like perforated hardboard on simple wood frames. On each shop front was a large cut out for the window and a wooden sign that was periodically changed.
Basically, the plot of Herring concerns local big-wig Lady Billows who has decided it is high time to revive the May Day Festival in Loxford. She has selected a small committee of local worthies to help choose a suitable young girl to be May Queen. By fishing around for gossip Billow’s secretary Florence Pike has found each of the nominated young girls lacking in the virtue required, with Lady Billow describing them as ‘trollops’. The police superintendent saves the day by suggesting they have a King of the May instead and puts forward the name of the whiter than white, greengrocer’s son young Albert Herring. Eager for the award of £25, Albert’s mother insists he take the role.
At the May Day coronation ceremony, teetotaller Albert has his lemonade spiked with rum as a joke by courting couple Sid and Nancy. As the alcohol takes effect he begins to act out of character and decides to spend a night out experiencing the pleasures on offer. As he doesn’t return the next morning his panicking mother fears him dead and persuades local people and police to begin a search. Having had a whale of a time Albert returns worse for wear and rebellious. Severed from his mother’s apron strings he is now independent and can look forward to a thriving future.
In Herring there is some discussion concerning the psychological undercurrents in the libretto that need unravelling. I am not sure this darkness is as prominent as one might be led to believe. This is a well worked comedy of its time where Albert a sensitive young man feels defined and trapped by his expected role in life. With his behaviour and attitude so out of step with the expectations of his generation, he becomes a figment of fun to some, teased and bullied even. The events following his coronation as May King inadvertently leads to a sea change in Albert’s character and how he will run his life.
In the title role as Albert Herring, Caspar Singh, was a shy and awkward young man doing the grocery boy duties given by his overbearing mother. Albert having taken a fancy to Nancy seemed unsure what to do with his feelings and he couldn’t help watching her with boyfriend Sid. Looking embarrassed in his all-white May King outfit Albert was decked out in doublet and trunkhose with canions, and a cap with a garland of flowers. When asked to say a few words he was so nervous he could barely get his words out. Singh’s lyric tenor was pleasing, and one could feel the opening up of his voice as he achieved manhood.
Formidable Lady Billows, taken by soprano Emma Bell, parading around wittily in her brown military uniform soon became an audience favourite. Naturally she took the responsibility for organising the important Loxford May Day festival. Or more accurately delegating everything to her efficient secretary Florence Pike. Dominating the stage with her pomposity and over-the-top personality, Bell’s voice was clearly delivered, had tremendous heft, and her use of coloratura worked well. At one point I nearly dodged down as Lady Billows from the front of the stage swung a sword around wildly. At any minute I expected Captain Mainwaring the Home Guard platoon commander from Dad’s Army, the classic comedy TV series, to walk in.
No less compelling was Carolyn Dobbin as Florence Pike. Rushing everywhere at her Lady’s behest, Florence did all the donkey work. She certainly looked the part in her smart blue skirt suit. A confident mezzo-soprano and actor Dobbin made the role her own. Tenor Mark Le Brocq had the role of Town mayor Upfold displaying his attractive and clear diction. A stylish actor and singer Mark Le Brocq, dressed in a smart suit with maroon bowtie and usually carrying a brown leather briefcase, seemed to be living the part. A spot on performance in the role of Mr. Gedge was from baritone Eddie Wade. Gedge mainly wore a scout master’s uniform incorporating voluminous blue shorts, and a clerical collar was just noticeable.
A bit of a lad Sid, played by baritone Dan D’Souza revelled in his role as butcher’s boy. Often seen in grubby white coat stained with meat blood Sid sometimes sported a cowboy hat. Impressive was D’Souza’s appealing voice, strong without strain and carried well. Sid’s girlfriend Nancy from the bakery was sung by Anna Elizabeth Cooper who exhibited an efficient mezzo-soprano. Dressed prettily in smart blouse and fashionable poodle skirt Cooper was very much the lovestruck, young woman. Successful was Sid and Nancy’s duet where they held each other close while singing of the beauty of being in love.
A singing actress Aoife Miskelly as local schoolteacher Miss Wordsworth was prim and proper in her floral dress. Miskelly’s soprano was bright with clarity as the enthusiastic teacher. Although the role of Budd was described as a police superintendent he did seem to be portrayed as a regular policeman. Bass-baritone Andri Björn Róbertsson sang well and was forthright as Budd, responsible for putting Albert’s name forward as May King.
Mezzo-soprano Leah-Marian Jones convinced in the role of shopkeeper Mrs. Herring. Used to keeping son Albert tied to her apron strings she was desperate he took the May King role for the prize money. Usually wearing her work apron, she was seen taking crafty swigs from a hidden bottle of drink. On stage the trio of children Emmie (Abigail Sinclair), Cis (Natasha Oldbury) and Harry (Henry Karp) were confident with all they had to do. Actor Ashton Hall, seated at a desk near the stage edge, played the Stage Manager, responsible for timing and signalling applause with a placard.
Albert Herring has a rather complex score, and the fourteen members of the Orchestra of ENO played adeptly with several solos making a real impact. Britten’s moderately sized orchestra matched the requirements of this chamber opera perfectly. Plaudits are due to the ensemble of cast members who were in persuasive form. All in all, ENO’s Albert Herring provided impressive entertainment, and I look forward to more productions.
ENO is presenting Jake Heggie’s magnificent Dead Man Walking at the London Coliseum. A production of this work in Manchester would be well received.
Michael Cookson
Featured Image: [l-r] Carolyn-Dobbin (Florence Pike), Aoife Miskelly (Miss Wordsworth), Mark Le Brocq (Mr. Upfold), Eddie Wade (Mr. Gedge) and Andri Bjorn Robertsson (Superintendent Budd) © Genevieve Girling
Production:
Director / Designer – Antony McDonald
Associate Director – Sophie Daneman
Lighting – Matthew Richardson
Associate Costume Designer – Ilona Karas
Cast:
Albert Herring – Caspar Singh
Sid – Dan D’Souza
Nancy – Anna Elizabeth Cooper
Lady Billows – Emma Bell
Florence Pike – Carolyn Dobbin
Miss Wordsworth – Aoife Miskelly
Mr. Gedge – Eddie Wade
Mr. Upfold – Mark Le Brocq
Superintendent Budd – Andri Björn Róbertsson
Mrs. Herring – Leah-Marian Jones
Emmie – Abigail Sinclair
Cis – Natasha Oldbury
Harry – Henry Karp
Stage Manager (acting role) – Ashton Hall