The Rape of Lucretia

opera by Britten

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July 13, 2026

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The opera The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin Britten is based on the ancient Roman legend of Lucretia. Lucretia was a virtuous Roman wife whose tragedy began when she was raped by Sextus Tarquinius, the son of Rome's tyrannical king. After exacting an oath of vengeance from her family, Lucretia took her own life. This event traditionally marks the founding of the Roman Republic and led to the expulsion of the Tarquin dynasty. Britten's opera, with a libretto by Ronald Duncan, premiered in 1946 and was a significant work in the development of English opera.12

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Benjamin Britten
His later operas include The Rape of Lucretia (1946); the comic Albert Herring (1947); Billy Budd (1951; after Herman Melville); Gloriana (1953; written for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II); The Turn of the Screw (1954; after Henry James); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1960); Owen Wingrave (television, 1971); and…
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His later operas include The Rape of Lucretia (1946); the comic Albert Herring (1947); Billy Budd (1951; after Herman Melville); Gloriana (1953; written for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II); The Turn of the Screw (1954; after Henry James); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1960); Owen Wingrave (television, 1971); and…
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tenor drum
…such as Benjamin Britten’s opera The Rape of Lucretia (1946).
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…such as Benjamin Britten’s opera The Rape of Lucretia (1946).
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