Albert Herring

Albert Herring (Britten). Libretto by Eric Crozier; 3 acts; first performance Glyndebourne 1947, conducted by Benjamin Britten.

Loxford, a small market-town in East Suffolk, 1900: A meeting is held at Lady Billows's house to elect a new May Queen. All candidates are rejected on various grounds of immorality. Supt. Budd suggests a May King - Albert Herring, son of Mrs Herring who owns the greengrocer's. Nancy and Sid tell Albert he misses all the fun. Sid spikes Albert's lemonade at the May King ceremony. Albert decides to try sowing some wild oats and leaves home while his mother is out. She reports him missing and he is presumed dead. All now sing in mourning, in the midst of which Albert walks in. He has spent some of his prize money at the pub and had a wonderful time. The members of the village see him in a new light.