Benjamin Britten, Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, Op. 49 (1951)

Abstract This chapter examines Benjamin Britten’s pivotal work, Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, Op. 49, its genesis, and its historical importance in the repertoire for solo oboe. Born into a middle-class family in England, Britten emerged as a dominant force in English art music, navigating the tensions between modernity and tradition in his compositions. His approach to modernism diverged from typical norms, which presents a challenge for scholars to historically situate his works. In his Six Metamorphoses, Britten explores his deep interest in Classical mythology and innovatively portrays six characters from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, using the oboe’s expressive range to depict transformations, while maintaining a predominantly tonal aesthetic. This chapter also discusses the work’s premiere, Britten’s working methods, and possible connections with other composers’ interpretations of the same myths. This chapter addresses the debates surrounding the interpretation of the tempo markings and the ways performance practices have developed through time.