18n June-8 July: Britten's Billy Budd NEW PRODUCTION. A metaph ysical battle between good and evil fought out aboard a British man-o'-war , Britten’s richly orchestrated all-male opera was originally commissioned for the 1951 Festival of Britain and is considered to be one of the compose r’s finest works. Starring Benedict Nelson (a ‘standout’ Demetrius in 2011’ s A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Billy, Matthew Rose as Claggart, the male volent master-at-arms, and Toby Spence (2010’s ‘world class’ Faust) as Ver e, the morally conflicted captain, this new staging reunites the award-wi nning director-conductor partnership of David Alden and Edward Gardner from2009’s Peter Grimes. June 18, 23, 27, & July 3, 5 at 7pm | June 30 at 6pm | July 8 at 3pm 7 performances. Running time: 2hrs 55mins Booking:http://www.eno.org