Born: 22 November 1913, Lowestoft, England
Died: 4 December 1976, Aldeburgh, England

Britten, Benjamin

A 20th century composer, engaged in writing music for movies, operas, and piano accompaniment of the tenor Peter Pierce, as well as in composing many operatic works, including school operas.

Britten's operas are among the finest English-language operas of the 20th century. Born in England he was trained at the Royal College of Music in London. In 1941, while living in the United States, he composed the "Sinfonia da Requiem" and his first opera "Paul Bunyan".

Britten also composed in other forms, like the "War Requiem" which was composed for the rededication of Coventry Cathedral, bombed in the Second World War, and in which he manifested his belief in pacifism. His works also included incidental music for plays and films and music for children, including "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" written in 1946. In this very popular work he introduces the musical instruments in an impressive, sophisticated fashion while using the loved Rondeau from Purcell's 'Abdelazar'as a theme.

Britten's works range in style from the simplest, most lyrical tonality to complex but dramatically effective atonality.

He was a professional and personal friend of the tenor Sir Peter Pears and founded, with him, the Aldeburgh Festival, now an important year-round center for performances and teaching. For Pears he wrote many songs, including the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings.

Britten on the WWW

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