Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

June 22, 1910 in Farnham, Surrey, England

Death

:

April 3, 1986 in Aldeburgh, England

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Peter Pears was a renowned English tenor and one of the most celebrated classical music artists of the 20th century. Born on June 22, 1910, in Farnham, Surrey, England, Pears was the son of a clergyman and grew up in a musical family. He began singing in the church choir at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Pears attended Lancing College and later studied at the Royal College of Music in London. He made his professional debut in 1933, singing the role of the Shepherd in Benjamin Britten's opera "Curlew River" at the Sadler's Wells Theatre. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration between Pears and Britten, who would become one of the most important composers of the 20th century. In 1936, Pears joined the Sadler's Wells Opera Company and quickly established himself as one of the leading tenors of his generation. He made his debut at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in 1942, singing the role of Peter Grimes in Britten's eponymous opera. The performance was a huge success and marked the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership between Pears and Britten. Over the next few years, Pears became one of the most sought-after tenors in the world, performing in major opera houses and concert halls across Europe and the United States. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of Britten's works, including "Peter Grimes," "Billy Budd," and "The Turn of the Screw." Pears was also a prolific recording artist, making numerous recordings of Britten's works as well as other classical music repertoire. He was awarded a Grammy Award in 1964 for his recording of Britten's "War Requiem." In addition to his work as a performer, Pears was also a noted teacher and mentor. He taught at the Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies in Snape, Suffolk, which was founded by Britten and Pears in 1972. Many of his students went on to become successful musicians in their own right. Pears was openly gay at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in the United Kingdom. He met Britten in 1937 and the two men became partners for the rest of their lives. Their relationship was a source of inspiration for many of Britten's works, including the opera "Billy Budd." Pears was awarded numerous honors and awards throughout his career, including a knighthood in 1978. He died on April 3, 1986, at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century and a champion of contemporary classical music.

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