Packed away in its pages is a very large amount of new information. ...with something like awe one reads the facsimile, watches a genius's pencil give ever more precise form to his fiery visions; one marvels as instinct, inspiration and high technique conspire to create a masterpiece.

• Volume I: the composition draft. Volume II: Introduction (1945), Benjamin Britten; "Peter Grimes" (1945), Peter Pears; notes on the production of "Peter Grimes" (1946), Eric Crozier; chronology, Philip Reed; "Peter Grimes" - the growth of the libretto, Philip Brett; finding the right notes, Philip Reed; the later history of the composition draft, Rosamund Strode; "Peter Grimes" - 50 years on, Donald Mitchell; bibliographical notes and narratives, Paul Banks; personalia, Philip Reed.

Packed away in its pages is a very large amount of new information. ...with something like awe one reads the facsimile, watches a genius's pencil give ever more precise form to his fiery visions; one marvels as instinct, inspiration and high technique conspire to create a masterpiece.

• Volume I: the composition draft. Volume II: Introduction (1945), Benjamin Britten; "Peter Grimes" (1945), Peter Pears; notes on the production of "Peter Grimes" (1946), Eric Crozier; chronology, Philip Reed; "Peter Grimes" - the growth of the libretto, Philip Brett; finding the right notes, Philip Reed; the later history of the composition draft, Rosamund Strode; "Peter Grimes" - 50 years on, Donald Mitchell; bibliographical notes and narratives, Paul Banks; personalia, Philip Reed.

Packed away in its pages is a very large amount of new information. ...with something like awe one reads the facsimile, watches a genius's pencil give ever more precise form to his fiery visions; one marvels as instinct, inspiration and high technique conspire to create a masterpiece.

• Volume I: the composition draft. Volume II: Introduction (1945), Benjamin Britten; "Peter Grimes" (1945), Peter Pears; notes on the production of "Peter Grimes" (1946), Eric Crozier; chronology, Philip Reed; "Peter Grimes" - the growth of the libretto, Philip Brett; finding the right notes, Philip Reed; the later history of the composition draft, Rosamund Strode; "Peter Grimes" - 50 years on, Donald Mitchell; bibliographical notes and narratives, Paul Banks; personalia, Philip Reed.