The Operas of Michael Tippett

Book excerpt: Although it is impossible to trace any particular theme running through the operas of Michael Tippett, the librettos of his four operas are fascinating to compare. The dense allusions of The Midsummer Marriage (1955), here annotated, gave way to the classical formality of King Priam (1962); the psycho-analytical preoccupations of The Knot Garden (1970) hardly foreshadow the contemporary political commentary of The Ice Break (1977). Each work breaks new ground and provokes unexpected responses. The librettos offer unique introductions to the music. They incidentally throw a searching light on the direction of British theatre since 1945.