Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Paul Bunyan (1940)

Operetta in 2 acts, based on the story of the American 'folkhero' Paul Bunyan


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1940
      Revision dates: 1976
    • Duration: 1 h 54 mn
    • Publisher: Faber Music, nº 50680 1
    • Opus: 17
    • Libretto (details, author):

      W. H. Auden

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 1 narrator [Paul Bunyan] , 3 solo tenors [Johnny Inkslinger, HotBiscuit Slim, Sam Sharkey] , 1 solo baritone [Hel Helson] , 1 solo bass voice [Ben Benny]
  • 2 flutes (also 1 piccolo), 1 oboe, 2 clarinets (also 1 alto saxophone), 1 bass clarinet, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 tuba, 1 timpani, 3 percussionists, 1 harp, 1 piano (also 1 celesta), 1 violin [sur scène] , 1 guitar [sur scène] , 2 double basses [sur scène]

Premiere information

  • Date: 5 May 1941
    Location:

    Brander Matthews Hall, New York


  • Date: 4 June 1976
    Location:

    Aldeburgh Festival, The Maltings, Snape


    Performers:

    English Music Theatre, direction : Steuart Bedford.