Benjamin Britten’s works remained largely unperformed in Vienna until the end of the 20th century, when his opera Peter Grimes received its celebrated first performance there. Tenor Neil Shicoff in the title role gave such a convincing performance that it captured the audience’s appreciation of the work. It was therefore only natural to present another Britten opera a few years later, when Billy Budd was chosen for a performance in its original four-act version from 1951, not in the revised, two-act version from 1961, as is more usually heard. Neil Shicoff gave another outstanding performance, this time as Captain Edward Fairfax Vere. Baritone Bo Skovhus, whose international career began in Vienna in the early 1990s, gave an immaculate performance as Billy Budd, his last in the role, as he considered himself too old for the part as he turned forty. Performing the role of John Claggart, the third member of the cast contributing to the overwhelming success of this State Opera premiere was American bass Eric Halfvarson, already famous for his successful appearances at Bayreuth and other major opera houses. Conductor Donald Runnicles and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra maintained such a keen sense of dramatic tension and balance, which prompted the audience to sustain a 30-minute ovation.

Cast:
- Edward Fairfax Vere: Neil Shicoff
- Billy Budd: Bo Skovhus
- John Claggart: Eric Halfvarson
- Mr Redburn: Robert Bork
- Mr Flint: Wolfgang Bankl
- Lieutenant Ratcliffe: David Cale Johnson
- Red Whiskers: John Dickie
- Donald: Geert Smits
- Dansker: Alfred Šramek
- The Novice: John Nuzzo

Live recording, 12 February 2001, Wiener Staatsoper