Billy Budd, Glyndebourne Open House

Once in a generation a singer emerges who seems destined to excel in one role for decades. When baritone Jacques Imbrailo first appeared as an innocent young sailor in the title role of Billy Budd, the acclaim was universal.

You can see the South African-born, British resident Imbrailo in Glyndebourne Festival Opera's 2010 production of Billy Budd directed by theatre master Michael Grandage. It is streamed free of charge on Sunday 12 July, at 5PM, and for one week on demand. Donations are welcomed.

If you have caught up yet with the spellbinding Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh Beach on BBC4 (streaming until 11 July only), you will have caught something of the composer's skill for summoning the sea and the elements in music. In Billy Budd that relentless rythym of the waves, sometimes helpful, sometimes hostile, churns on.

Jacques Imbrailo plays the innocent recruit in Billy Budd. Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke

Billy is press ganged into a vessel in the Napoleonic wars, but he is cheerful about his new life at sea, and is popular with all on board. All but one: the jealous and damaged master at arms Claggart turns against him, and when the Captain is informed of a breach in ship's rules, Billy's life is in danger.

John Mark Ainsley plays the commanding officer Vere, whose recollection of the incident opens and closes the opera – and haunts him for the rest of his career.

Christopher Oram conjures up a ship in Nelson's navy with his design and the atmospheric lighting is by Paule Constable. The visual effects are stunning. Listen out for the moment when the men, constantly waiting for action stations, are suddenly braced to attack in a tremendous chorus number.

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Billy Budd is streamed as part of Glyndebourne's Open House season. Click here for more details and to view