Benjamin Britten's tour de force on stage in London

Peter Grimes at the English National Opera was extraordinary. I've seen it three times before (including once in Paris).

   When we were buying the programme, there was a notice inside that the title role was played by understudy John Findon instead of Gwyn Hughes Jones. There was no disappointment. He clearly knew the role backwards and performed as if born to the role. If you know the opera, I hope that's not an insult, but he really was perfect.

    His role as Bob Boles was taken by Adam Sullivan, who has now become part of the ENO Chorus.

    Both Findon and Sullivan brought life to their roles and the whole production was brilliant. Of course, the orchestra - as we have come to expect at the ENO - was perfect and our seats in the dress circle gave us a view straight down into the pit.