Peter Grimes is considered part of the standard repertoire. In addition, the "Four Sea Interludes", consisting of the first, third, fifth and second interludes from the opera, were published separately (as Op. 33a) and are frequently performed as an orchestral suite. The fourth interlude, the Passacaglia was also published separately (as Op. 33b), and is also often performed, either together with the "Sea Interludes" or by itself. In 1941, shortly after the first performance of his opera "Paul Bunyan", Britten and his partner Peter Pears went to stay at Escondido, California. There they read the poem by Crabbe and were struck by
W. F. Grimes W. F. Grimes William Francis Grimes (known as Peter; 31 October 1905 – 25 December 1988) was a Welsh archaeologist. He devoted his career to the archaeology of London and the prehistory of Wales. He was awarded a CBE in 1955. Grimes was born in Pembroke in Wales. His father was a draughtsman with the Pembroke docks board. He was educated at Pembroke county school and then at Bedford Modern School after his father moved to Bedford to work as a draughtsman on airships. Grimes returned to Wales in 1923 to study Latin at the University College of South Wales