Benjamin Britten's opera, Noye's Fludde, Op. 59, was first performed on 18 June 1958 at the Orford Church as part of the Aldeburgh Festival. The text is based on an edition by Alfred W. Pollard of an early 15th-century mystery play from the Chester Mystery Cycle. The opera is written to be performed by a cast primarily of amateurs. Britten requested it be performed in a church or a large hall but not in a theatre. It has been performed in zoos. In 2013, Britten's centenary year, there were numerous performances in the UK, many by school groups, and in places including cathedrals, churches, schools, and community centres. Some were mounted by music festivals such as the Cheltenham Music Festival and the Thaxted Festival. The Britten-Pears Foundation also supported performances.
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