Nelson is an opera in 3 acts by Lennox Berkeley to a libretto by Alan Pryce-Jones.
Berkeley was provided with two grand pianos in his cabin (enabling the composer and Lambe, who was an accomplished pianist, to play duets), and the fleet slowed down between Cape St. Vincent and Cape Trafalgar to enable the composer to drink in the scene of Nelson's final moments.
[1] The opera had a partial performance, to piano accompaniment, at the Wigmore Hall in London in 1953, when the part of Nelson was sung by Peter Pears.
Nevertheless, a concert performance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1988 evoked more positive critical consensus.
Berkeley's style, reflecting his studies with Nadia Boulanger, also enables him to deal effectively with lighter moments of satire and comment.
Lord Minto and Captain Hardy advise Nelson to end his affair with Emma, which has become the talk of the town.
Emma arrives and the lovers pledge their affection, but at this moment a summons artrives to instruct Nelson to take command of the Fleet.
The performers are David Johnston (Nelson), Eiddwen Harrhy (Emma Hamilton), Margaret Kingsley (Lady Nelson), Brian Rayner Cook (Hamilton), Elizabeth Bainbridge (Mrs Cadogan), Richard Angas (Hardy), Mary Thomas (Madame Serafin), Eric Shilling (Lord Minto), the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, conducted by Elgar Howarth.