The composition sketch of the Opera 'Albert Herring'.

Description

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Britten composed Albert Herring between December 1946 and April 1947, the opera being planned and written to launch the first season of the English Opera Group in June 1947. The manuscript is open at Act I scene 2 as Lady Billows informs Albert that the Committee has decided to crown him ‘Loxford King of the May’ in honour of his ‘pure, virtuous life’.