PITTSFIELD, Mass. — "Billy Budd, Sailor" is Herman Melville's novella exploring themes of innocence, justice, and the corrupting influence of power. 

 

According to a press release: 

 

It is the tale of a noble young sailor who is conscripted, falls victim to petty jealousy, and pays the price with his life. Set aboard a British naval ship during the Napoleonic Wars, Budd is falsely accused of mutiny and sentenced to death. Even as he is martyred, he retains his integrity. 

 

As part of its continuing celebration of the centennial of Billy Budd, Sailor's publication, the Berkshire County Historical Society, in collaboration with Berkshire Opera Festival and Tanglewood Learning Institute, will present selections from the 1951 opera Billy Budd composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by authors E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier. 

 

The selections will be paired with readings by actor Ryan Winkles. The event takes place at the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood on Sept. 20 at 7 pm. 

 

Open seating tickets are $100 and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at bekshirehistory.org. Ticket includes a post-performance reception with drinks and desserts by Gourmet Catering, and the launch of a unique Arrowhead cider from Berkshire Cider Project. 

 

The event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation. All proceeds benefit Berkshire County Historical Society educational, preservation, and restoration programs.

 

"The Berkshire County Historical Society is pleased to be partnering with Berkshire Opera Festival and Tanglewood Learning Institute to celebrate Billy Budd, said BCHS Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "The Berkshires are fortunate to be home to so many quality cultural venues and individual artists who so generously collaborate to create programs that one organization alone cannot achieve."