Benjamin Britten

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Benjamin Britten

Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh, OM CH (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He was a central figure of 20th-century British classical music, with a range of works including opera, other vocal music, orchestral and chamber pieces. His best-known works include the opera Peter Grimes (1945), the War Requiem (1962), and the orchestral showpiece The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (1945).

Early Life and Education

Britten was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, the youngest of four children of a dentist, Robert Victor Britten, and his wife Edith Rhoda, née Hockey. He showed musical talent at an early age and began composing prolifically as a child. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London under John Ireland and Frank Bridge.

Career

Britten first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to international fame. The opera's success established Britten as one of the leading composers of his time. He went on to write 14 more operas, including Billy Budd (1951), The Turn of the Screw (1954), and Death in Venice (1973).

Britten was also a celebrated pianist and conductor, often performing in the premieres of his own works. He was a co-founder of the Aldeburgh Festival in 1948, which became one of the most important music festivals in the UK.

Personal Life

Britten's long-term partner was the tenor Peter Pears, for whom he wrote many of his most important works. The two lived together in the Red House in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, from 1957 until Britten's death.

Legacy

Britten's influence on 20th-century music was profound. He was a master of orchestration and a pioneer in the revival of English opera. His works are regularly performed around the world, and he is considered one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.

Selected Works

• Peter Grimes (1945)
• The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (1945)
• Billy Budd (1951)
• War Requiem (1962)
• Death in Venice (1973)

Related Pages

• Peter Grimes
• War Requiem
• The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
• Aldeburgh Festival
• Peter Pears