Role

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Ensemble

Genre

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Choral

 

Britten Singers is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Born on November 22, 1913, in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, Benjamin Britten was the youngest of four children. His father, Robert Victor Britten, was a dentist, and his mother, Edith Rhoda Britten, was a talented amateur musician. Britten showed an early interest in music and began composing at the age of five. Britten's musical talent was recognized early on, and he was sent to study at the Royal College of Music in London at the age of sixteen. There, he studied composition with Frank Bridge, who became his mentor and had a significant influence on his musical style. Britten's early works were heavily influenced by Bridge's style, but he soon developed his own unique voice. In 1934, Britten met the tenor Peter Pears, who would become his lifelong partner and collaborator. Pears was a significant influence on Britten's music, and many of his works were written specifically for Pears to perform. The two men lived together for over thirty years until Britten's death in 1976. Britten's career as a composer took off in the 1940s, and he quickly became one of the most important figures in British classical music. His works were often controversial, as he tackled difficult subjects such as war, politics, and sexuality. However, his music was always well-received by audiences and critics alike. One of Britten's most famous works is his opera Peter Grimes, which premiered in 1945. The opera tells the story of a fisherman who is accused of murder and is shunned by his community. The work was an instant success and established Britten as one of the leading opera composers of his time. Peter Grimes has since become a staple of the operatic repertoire and is regularly performed around the world. Britten's other notable works include the War Requiem, which was written for the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral in 1962. The work combines the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead with poems by the First World War poet Wilfred Owen. The War Requiem is a powerful anti-war statement and has become one of Britten's most famous works. Britten was also a prolific composer of vocal music, and many of his songs and choral works are still performed today. His Hymn to St. Cecilia, written in 1942, is considered one of the greatest choral works of the 20th century. Throughout his career, Britten received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was made a Companion of Honour in 1953 and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1965. He also received the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in 1973. Britten's legacy continues to live on today, and his music is still widely performed and admired. The Britten-Pears Foundation, established after his death, works to promote his music and support young musicians. The foundation also manages the Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies, which provides training and support for young musicians. In conclusion, Britten Singers was a remarkable composer who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His works were often controversial but always well-received, and he established himself as one of the leading figures in British music. His legacy continues to live on today, and his music remains an important part of the classical repertoire.

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