This is truly glorious to see! Albeit I do thoroughly enjoy Vickers and Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Pears gives the the essence of what the composer, Britten, had envisioned for the part. All of the performers perform it marvelously, and just like many other epic roles, each performance is unique and brings a different perspective and all are relevant.

Just returned from Europe and saw your comment. The job of the stage actor is to NOT exaggerate, otherwise you are not doing your job. I used to get railed by a coach for this over and over again until I made the connection. Back then, park and bark was the norm, and Pears was refreshing in that he actually acted. Vickers perfected the marriage between singing and stage acting. I think that Meisner would be very proud of him.

Vickers is giving us a totally different Grimes - more rough and "outspoken". It's easier to be impressed by his performance. But this role was written for Pears, he was part of the creation of the role. he was the choice of the composer for this. But anyone can prefer Vickers, he is superb. But this is what britten wanted to hear.

It's incredible to watch a performer own a role written for them. Though I enjoy Pears' Grimes, Anthony Rolfe Johnson's vocal and dramatic performance in EMI's 1993 recording is by far my favorite.

Pears was used to performing it on stage, where exaggerated facial expression is the norm.

I've learned to appreciate both Pears and Vickers in this role. I understand that Britten did not like Vickers' interpretation much at all.

Gah, he takes it so fast! I own this DVD, but I've long preferred Jon Vickers in the title role.

Why do people feel the need to insist Vickers is superior? Are they worried he will disappear?

Totalmente de acuerdo.

Accidental circumstances!

🍀🌠

Aha! Your slip gives you away! You meant "Pears" but wrote "Grimes" - QED.

@peduzzi89 I respectfully disagree. Art and choices are always open to interpretation. For example, Verdi did not necessarily enjoy Tamagno's interpretation of Otello. Art always evolves with the interpreter, and choices are made. Sometimes they work, other times they do not. We cannot discount the emotional bond between the two men, and well, many times that can affect one's own judgment. To me,Pears appears to be overacting, almost mugging at times. But he has great vocal depth in his delivery

That is hardly surprising, and doesn't really count against Vickers. It seems as though every generation a tenor comes along who is the nearest we have to another Pears, and currently it's Ian Bostridge.

Jon Vickers IS Peter Grimes. I dont care who Britten wrote the part for.

thafuqcomentchain?