Peter Grimes or ambiguous the various characters are. Pears was certainly the intended Peter Grimes, and it is likely that Britten wrote the role of Ellen Orford for Joan Cross. The work has been called "a powerful allegory of homosexual oppression", and one of "the true operatic masterpieces of the 20th century", but the composer's own contemporary (1948) summation of the work was simpler: a subject very close to my heart — the struggle of the individual against the masses. The more vicious the society, the more vicious the individual. Though as the writing of the libretto progressed, certain versions showed Grimes'
Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1978–79 to 1980–81 period at its regular venues, the company also visited Dortmund (with "Peter Grimes"), Glasgow (with "Nabucco" and "Carmen") and Buxton. At the end of the 1981-82 season, English National Opera North changed its name to Opera North and became an independent entity. Below is a list of main stage operas performed by the company during the period when it was known as English National Opera North. Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1978–79 to 1980–81 Opera North is an opera company based at The Grand Theatre, Leeds. This article covers its establishment and early years. On 10 March 1976, at