reveals that the crew is willing to mutiny for his sake, but Billy argues against that and is resigned to his fate. At four o'clock that morning, the crew assembles on deck, and Billy is brought out. The Articles of War are read, and state that Billy must be hanged. Just before his execution, he praises Vere with his final words, singing "Starry Vere, God Bless you!". Following the execution, the crew begins to mutter in disaffection, which the officers quickly react to suppress. Epilogue Vere, as an old man, remembers Billy's burial at sea, and acknowledges that he could have saved Billy, but failed to do so, thinking that Billy has instead blessed and saved him. As he recalls Billy's blessing, he realises he has discovered genuine goodness and can be at peace with himself. Recordings References Informational notes Citations Bibliography Allen, Stephen Arthur, "Billy Budd: Temporary Salvation and the Faustian Pact", Journal of Musicological Research, Vol. 25, Issue 1, January 2006:43–73. Carpenter, Humphrey. Benjamin Britten: A Biography London: Faber & Faber, 1992. Whittall, Arnold. "Billy Budd" in Stanley Sadie, (Ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, Vol. One, pp. 473–476. London: Macmillan Publishers, Inc. 1998 External links Britten-Pears Foundation page on the opera 1966 BBC television recording of Billy Budd 2001 Vienna State Opera video of the original four-act version of Billy Budd Billy Budd discography on operadis-opera-discography.org.uk. Covent Garden Opera, London: New Productions 1947–1964, Opera Annals blog, 11 August 2018 English-language operas Adaptations of works by Herman Melville Operas by Benjamin Britten 1951 operas Operas Opera world premieres at the Royal Opera House Operas based on novels E. M. Forster in performing arts Courts-martial in fiction