Peter Grimes

The plot story

The plot takes place in a fishing town in northeast England, around 1830.

prologue
City Hall

An inquest is held in the town hall into the circumstances of the death of Peter Grimes’ apprentice. The facts are unclear, but it is suspected that Grimes caused the boy’s death. The coroner – lawyer Swallow – advises Grimes: “Don’t take another apprentice boy. Find a fisherman to help you, old enough to stand on his own two feet.” Grimes resents the verdict, which states that the boy “died in the circumstances of an accident,” which leaves room for doubt. As the hall clears, Ellen Orford – the town’s schoolmistress – offers Grimes her support, and plans a new future for him.

Orchestral Interlude: Below

Act One

First picture
On the street next to the beach, a few days later

Ned Keane, the town pharmacist, has found a new apprentice for Grimes. Along with Keane, Bulstrode, a retired captain, helps Grimes anchor his boat, and Alan accompanies the porter, Hobson, to pick up the apprentice. When Bulstrode announces an approaching storm, everyone heads home or to the Wild Boar Inn, and Bulstrode finds Grimes still working on his boat. Bulstrode suggests that Grimes make a fresh start and marry Alan. But Grimes rejects the offer, telling Bulstrode that he will marry Alan only after he earns enough money (“I’ll dry the sea of ​​fish”) and is treated with respect by the townspeople.

Orchestral Interlude: Storm

Second picture
At the Wild Boar that night

The storm rages outside. At the inn, everyone is anxious and restless; the situation worsens when the hysterical Mrs. Sedley arrives, waiting for her tranquilizers. The Methodist preacher – Bob Bowles – is drunk, and when Grimes enters the inn wildly the crowd shouts: “He is mad or drunk.” Finally Ellen arrives with her new apprentice. They are offered refreshments (they are offered refreshments) – but Grimes does not let the boy dry off and warm up a little, and immediately takes him to his isolated cabin. This provokes a reaction from the innkeepers, who mock Grimes for his “home”.

Orchestral Interlude: Sunday

Second act

First picture
Sunday, a few weeks later

Alan and his new apprentice are on the beach, as morning prayers are in full swing at the town church. Alan discovers that the boy is bruised and his clothes are torn, and she suspects that Grimes did it. She says, “So it begins.” When Grimes arrives to take the boy fishing, Alan claims that it is the boy’s day off. To this Grimes replies, “What day is it today? I decide!” They fight, Grimes hits Alan, and roughly takes the boy with him. The rumor that “Grimes is back on his feet” spreads throughout the town, prompting a group of men to go to his cabin and question him.

Orchestral Pascalia

Second picture
Grimes’ cabin

Meanwhile, Grimes plans to go fishing. Just as he is about to leave, he hears the procession approaching. As the boy begins to descend the cliff, he falls and dies. Grimes quickly descends after him, – and when the group of men reach the cabin, they find “an empty and clean cabin.”

Orchestral Interlude: Moonlight Night

Act Three

First picture
On the beach and in the street, a few nights later

A dance is held in the town hall. For a moment, everyone seems to have forgotten about Grimes – except for Mrs. Sedley, who overhears Ellen telling Bulstrode that the apprentice’s vest has washed ashore with the current, and that Grimes’ boat is anchored in the harbor. Mrs. Sedley urges the lawyer Swallow, who organizes – together with the long-suffering Hobson – a group of men to judge Grimes.

Orchestral interlude

Thick fog, and cries of “Peter Grimes” are heard everywhere. Alan and Bulstrode find Grimes by his boat, battered, wet, and on the verge of losing his mind. Bulstrode then turns to him and says: “Whip till you can’t see any land, then sink the boat. Do you hear? Sink it! Goodbye, Peter.” And so he does. In the morning the townspeople begin their daily routine. A new day begins.