NAU Lyric Theater: "Men in Conflict"

Directed by School of Music Professor Eric Gibson, Men in Conflict condenses two of Benjamin Britten’s most celebrated operas, Albert Herring and Peter Grimes. The NAU production explores how an individual at odds with his community copes with its prejudices and beliefs. This production presents two opposing perspectives: the light, comedic tone of Albert Herring, and the dark and sinister tone of Peter Grimes.

Albert Herring is a light-hearted story about the son of a shop keeper who struggles when presented with the new title of “May King,” a position traditionally given to the most morally upstanding young woman in the village. Peter Grimes is a story of a fisherman who is taken to the court for the death of his boy apprentice. Despite the death being declared accidental, Peter struggles against town gossip that could lead to tragedy.