Music By: BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Libretto by E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier

PROLOGUE
British Captain Edward Fairfax Vere of H.M.S. Indomitable is an old man looking back on the “difficult and dangerous days after the Mutiny at the Nore” in the summer of 1797. He ponders the good and evil in human life and concludes there is always some flaw in goodness, “some stammer in the divine speech.” “Who has blessed me? Who has saved me?” he asks.

ACT I.
Scene 1. As the crew of the Indomitable works on deck, the Novice accidentally bumps into the Bosun and gets a flogging. A cutter approaches, returning from a merchant ship where three men have been pressed into England's navy. Two protest vehemently, but the third, Billy Budd, seems overjoyed. Asked about his background, Billy stutters heavily as he remembers his childhood as an orphan. Claggart, the Master-at-arms, calls him "a find in a thousand" and assigns him to the foretop. Billy climbs aloft, bidding an exuberant farewell to his former ship, the Rights o' Man. The officers, mistaking Billy's rhapsody for political rabble-rousing, order the crew below. Claggart tells Squeak, the ship's corporal, to keep an eye on Billy and give the foretopman a rough time. Dansker, an old sailor, warns Billy to look out for the vicious Claggart (called “Jemmy Legs” by the men). As the sailors praise Captain Vere, Billy joins their chorus, unable to contain his excitement about serving under the fabled "Starry Vere."

Scene 2. In the Captain's cabin a week later, his officers join Vere for a toast. They are eager to engage the French, but the fear of mutiny and Billy's mention of “the rights of man” worry them. The Captain sees no danger—only Billy’s youthful high spirits.

Scene 3. That same evening, the sailors are singing to pass the time. Billy goes for some tobacco for Dansker and surprises Squeak, who is rifling through Billy’s kit. Furious, Billy begins to stutter, and Claggart has to end the fight. Left alone, he makes the chilling decision to destroy Billy. He sees Billy’s handsomeness and goodness as a threat to the dark inner world he has created for himself. The Novice, deathly afraid of another flogging, reluctantly agrees to try to bribe Billy to join a mutiny. Stuttering angrily, Billy refuses the two golden coins. Even though Dansker warns Billy that Claggart is up to something, Billy still believes he will be promoted for his loyalty.

ACT II.
Scene 1. Several days later, Claggart intends to warn the Captain about Billy, but a French ship appears off the starboard bow. The crew jubilantly prepares for battle, but the wind falls off, and the enemy remains frustratingly out of range. Claggart gets the Captain's attention again and accuses Billy of luring the Novice to mutiny with gold. Vere cannot believe it, but sends for Billy so that he can interview him in his accuser's presence.

Scene 2. In Vere's cabin, Claggart repeats the charge. Paralyzed by his stutter and unable to defend himself with words, Billy impulsively kills Claggart with one blow. The Captain convenes a drumhead court immediately, his only option while the ship is in enemy waters. Vere says nothing to save Billy and allows the reluctant officers to sentence Billy to death, as demanded under the Articles of War. Vere feels that Billy is the very incarnation of goodness, but he must do his duty and destroy the lad.

Scene 3. Lulled by the dreaming ocean, Billy lies in irons. Dansker tells Billy the men are willing to mutiny and save him, but Billy remembers the sacrifice of Christ and realizes he must suffer the same fate.

Scene 4. The men assemble on deck for Billy’s execution. After hearing the Articles of War read out, Billy calls out "Starry Vere, God bless you!" Almost automatically, the men repeat his cry as Billy is swung up to the yardarm against the dawning sky. Finally, the officers send the mutinous sailors below, and calm is restored.

Later, in Vere's cabin, Claggart repeats the charge. Billy cannot defend himself: he is paralyzed by his stutter. All he can do is strike Claggart, but the blow kills the Master- at-Arms. The Captain must hold a court martial immediately, his only option under the Articles of War. Billy pleads with Vere to save him, but he is sentenced to death. The sentence brings the ship to the brink of mutiny, but Billy tells the men, through Dansker, that death is his fate and asks them not to revolt. Billy is brought onto the main deck, and just before his execution, he praises his Captain one last time, singing, "Starry Vere, God bless you!"  Vere, deeply disturbed by what he has recounted, knows that he could have saved Billy. But instead, Billy has saved him. As he remembers Billy's blessing, the old Captain is at peace.

EPILOGUE
Vere realizes that it was Billy’s sacrifice that saved and blessed him, offering a glimpse of heaven, “the far-shining sail.”

—adapted from LA Opera

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