In 1945, Benjamin Britten wrote,‘In writing Peter Grimes, I wanted to express my awareness of the perpetual struggle of men and women whose livelihood depends on the sea’. Recognising that these struggles are as relevant today as they were in 1945, Welsh National Opera partnered with The Fishermen’s Mission, the UK’s only charity dedicated to providing support to the fishing industry, and Welsh singer-songwriter Gareth Bonello (aka The Gentle Good) on the ‘Sea Interludes’ project, a project which aimed to capture the experiences of fishermen working in Milford Haven, Cardiff, and Cornwall.
The result is three new songs inspired by the uncertainty, danger, and hardships faced by individuals and families who are reliant on the sea for their livelihood. Written for an ensemble comprising a WNO string quartet, a harpist and two singers from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the pieces were performed before our Cardiff shows of Peter Grimes, and then recorded at Ty Cerdd Studios in Wales Millennium Centre. We are delighted to share these songs with you, along with some information about their conception.
Sunrise Again contrasts the beauty and hopes of nature with the hard toil of working as a fisherman. It was partly inspired by a conversation with a Milford Haven fisherman, Arturs, who explained how gruelling yet rewarding the job can be. Exceptionally long and physically demanding shifts can mean that fishermen lose track of the time of day, with crews only realising upon seeing their second sunrise that they have worked through a full 24 hours.
All At Sea | Ar Y Don uses the ocean as a metaphor for mental health and explores how the life of a fisherman can affect a whole family, not just the person at sea. It particularly touches on the experiences of those waiting at home, full of worry, and the pressure on them to provide a safe haven.
The final song, Penlee Lifeboat, is a collaboration between Gareth and Newlyn fisherman and RNLI volunteer, Freddie Bates. It is inspired by the 1981 Penlee lifeboat disaster, when the RNLI lifeboat, Solomon Browne, went to the aid of the vessel, Union Star, after its engines failed in heavy seas off the coast of Cornwall. After the lifeboat had rescued four people, both vessels were lost. Sixteen people died, including eight volunteer lifeboatmen.
Freddie BatesThe finished song is just heart-rending and so poignant. Gareth’s melody has anchored it and given the lyrics the feeling they deserve.
You can listen to the music created as part of this project on SoundCloud.
Stream Welsh National Opera | Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud
WNO would like to thank everyone involved in the Sea Interludes project. We hope to return to the project in Spring 2026, when we bring a brand-new production of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman to the stage.
