Edward Benjamin Britten, later Lord Britten of Aldeburgh.
Born Lowestoft, 22 November 1913.
Died Aldeburgh, 4 December 1976.
English composer.
Benjamin Britten was a pupil of Frank Bridge and later of John Ireland. After periods in London and New York he settled in Suffolk, where the Aldeburgh Festival was established largely as a reflection of his personality.
In addition to his composing activities, he found time to appear in public as a conductor (often with the English Chamber Orchestra) and pianist (often in partnership with Peter Pears). His music - operas, orchestral and chamber works, songs and instrumental pieces - established itself all over the world. He is widely recognized as one of the great composers of the twentieth century.
In addition to his operas we will list some other important vocal works on the site.
Stage and vocal works performed in Scotland are shown in bold.
Links to descriptions and performances are listed alphabetically below.
01 Paul Bunyan, op17 (New York 1941) (Auden)
02 Peter Grimes, op33 (London 1945) (Slater)
03 The Rape of Lucretia, op37 (Glyndebourne 1946) (Duncan)
04 Albert Herring, op39 (Glyndebourne 1947) (Crozier)
05 The Little Sweep, op45 (Aldeburgh 1949) (Crozier)
06 Billy Budd, op50 (London 1951; rev London 1961) (Forster & Crozier)
07 Abraham and Isaac, op51 (Aldeburgh 1952) (Anon)
08 Gloriana, op53 (London 1953) (Plomer)
09 The Turn of the Screw, op54 (Venice 1954) (Piper)
10 Noye’s Fludde, op59 (Aldeburgh 1958) (anon)
11 A Midsummer Night's Dream, op64 (Aldeburgh 1960) (cpsr & Pears)
12 War Requiem, op66 (Coventry 1962) (Liturgy & Owen)
13 Curlew River, op71 (Aldeburgh 1964) (Plomer)
14 The Burning Fiery Furnace, op77 (Aldeburgh 1966) (Plomer)
15 The Prodigal Son, op81 (Aldeburgh 1968) (Plomer)
16 Owen Wingrave, op85 (TV 1971; prod London 1973) (Piper)
17 Death in Venice, op88 (Aldeburgh 1973) (Piper)
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