Britten, Benjamin 1913-1976
Overview
| Works: | 12,677 works in 32,858 publications in 14 languages and 287,431 library holdings |
|---|---|
| Genres: | Operas Musical settings Chamber operas Biography Opera adaptations Criticism, interpretation, etc Live sound recordings Vocal scores Scores Requiems |
| Roles: | Author, Conductor, Composer, Instrumentalist, Performer, Arranger, Librettist, Editor, Compiler, Musician, Other, Singer, Adapter, Creator, Contributor, Author of introduction, Director, Dedicatee, msd, Bibliographic antecedent, Honoree, Artist, Restager , Printer, Speaker, Recipient, Interviewee |
| Classifications: | ML410.B853, 782.1 |
Publication Timeline
.
Most widely held works about
Benjamin Britten
- Britten's musical language by Philip Ernst Rupprecht( )
- Benjamin Britten : the spiritual dimension by Graham Elliott( )
- Benjamin Britten : a biography by Humphrey Carpenter( Book )
- The music of Benjamin Britten by Peter Evans( Book )
- The lives and times of the great composers by Michael Steen( Book )
- Benjamin Britten : a bio-bibliography by Stewart R Craggs( )
- Benjamin Britten : his life and operas by Eric Walter White( Book )
- February house by Sherill Tippins( Book )
- Britten and the Far East : Asian influences in the music of Benjamin Britten by Mervyn Cooke( )
- Britten by Michael Kennedy( Book )
- Britten by Imogen Holst( Book )
- The Cambridge companion to Benjamin Britten by Mervyn Cooke( Book )
- The music of Britten and Tippett : studies in themes and techniques by Arnold Whittall( Book )
- Britten by Christopher Headington( Book )
- Rethinking Britten by Philip Ernst Rupprecht( )
- The Britten companion by Christopher Palmer( Book )
- Benjamin Britten, his life and operas by Eric Walter White( Book )
- Berlioz, Verdi, Wagner, Britten by Daniel Albright( )
- Britten and Auden in the thirties : the year 1936 by Donald Mitchell( Book )
- Benjamin Britten : a life for music by Neil Powell( Book )
more
fewer
Most widely held works by
Benjamin Britten
Peter Grimes by
Benjamin Britten(
Recording
)
278 editions published between 1945 and 2014 in 9 languages and held by 4,676 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Set in a small fishing community on the east coast of England, the story of conflict between an individual and a society that sees him as an outsider
278 editions published between 1945 and 2014 in 9 languages and held by 4,676 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Set in a small fishing community on the east coast of England, the story of conflict between an individual and a society that sees him as an outsider
War requiem by
Benjamin Britten(
)
230 editions published between 1963 and 2018 in 9 languages and held by 4,240 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Public awareness of Benjamin Britten's person and works advanced dramatically -- even explosively -- twice during his lifetime. The first time was in 1945, when his opera Peter Grimes was produced for the postwar reopening of Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. The second time followed the premier at Coventry and the subsequent series of performances all across Europe and North America of the War Requiem. Except to those provincials who thought that milky pastoral was the only idiom appropriate for an Englishman and who also found the young Britten too clever by half, the triumph of Peter Grimes marked not just the confirmation of a prodigious talent; it represented a moment of hope that, for the first time since the death of Henry Purcell in 1695, England had produced a composer of international stature. The impact the War Requiem made 17 years later was wider and deeper by far. Britten, approaching 50, had become an artist whose every new utterance was awaited with the most lively interest and the highest expectations. The War Requiem, moreover, was tied to a pair of events that were heavily freighted with history and emotion: the destruction of Coventry Cathedral in an air raid during the night of November 14-15, 1940, and its reconsecration more than 21 years later. Its first performance was planned as an international event with respect both to participants and audience. Most importantly, the War Requiem was a weighty and poignant statement on the subject of piercingly urgent concern to much of humankind. In the War Requiem, Britten drew on forces larger and more complex than in any previous work of his. The basic division of the performers is into two groups, reflecting the dual source of the words; the libretto stands in a relation of text (the Latin Missa pro defunctis) and commentary (the nine Owen poems). The Latin text is essentially the province of the large mixed chorus, but from this there is spillover in two opposite directions: the solo soprano represents a heightening of the choral singing at its most emotional, while the boys' choir represents liturgy at its most distanced. The mixed chorus and solo soprano are accompanied by the full orchestra; the boys' choir, whose sound should be distant, is supported by an organ. All this constitutes one group. The other group consists of the tenor and baritone soloists, whose province is the series of Owen songs; they are accompanied by the chamber orchestra. - Program notes / Michael Steinberg
230 editions published between 1963 and 2018 in 9 languages and held by 4,240 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Public awareness of Benjamin Britten's person and works advanced dramatically -- even explosively -- twice during his lifetime. The first time was in 1945, when his opera Peter Grimes was produced for the postwar reopening of Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. The second time followed the premier at Coventry and the subsequent series of performances all across Europe and North America of the War Requiem. Except to those provincials who thought that milky pastoral was the only idiom appropriate for an Englishman and who also found the young Britten too clever by half, the triumph of Peter Grimes marked not just the confirmation of a prodigious talent; it represented a moment of hope that, for the first time since the death of Henry Purcell in 1695, England had produced a composer of international stature. The impact the War Requiem made 17 years later was wider and deeper by far. Britten, approaching 50, had become an artist whose every new utterance was awaited with the most lively interest and the highest expectations. The War Requiem, moreover, was tied to a pair of events that were heavily freighted with history and emotion: the destruction of Coventry Cathedral in an air raid during the night of November 14-15, 1940, and its reconsecration more than 21 years later. Its first performance was planned as an international event with respect both to participants and audience. Most importantly, the War Requiem was a weighty and poignant statement on the subject of piercingly urgent concern to much of humankind. In the War Requiem, Britten drew on forces larger and more complex than in any previous work of his. The basic division of the performers is into two groups, reflecting the dual source of the words; the libretto stands in a relation of text (the Latin Missa pro defunctis) and commentary (the nine Owen poems). The Latin text is essentially the province of the large mixed chorus, but from this there is spillover in two opposite directions: the solo soprano represents a heightening of the choral singing at its most emotional, while the boys' choir represents liturgy at its most distanced. The mixed chorus and solo soprano are accompanied by the full orchestra; the boys' choir, whose sound should be distant, is supported by an organ. All this constitutes one group. The other group consists of the tenor and baritone soloists, whose province is the series of Owen songs; they are accompanied by the chamber orchestra. - Program notes / Michael Steinberg
The turn of the screw by
Benjamin Britten(
)
194 editions published between 1954 and 2016 in 7 languages and held by 3,327 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Recorded Mar. 1981 in London
194 editions published between 1954 and 2016 in 7 languages and held by 3,327 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Recorded Mar. 1981 in London
Albert Herring by
Benjamin Britten(
)
124 editions published between 1964 and 2016 in 4 languages and held by 2,297 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Recorded Aug. 11-15, 1996, All Saint's Church, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
124 editions published between 1964 and 2016 in 4 languages and held by 2,297 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Recorded Aug. 11-15, 1996, All Saint's Church, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A midsummer night's dream by
Benjamin Britten(
)
26 editions published between 1966 and 2016 in English and No Linguistic content and held by 1,680 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
One of opera's most original Shakespeare adaptations comes to live in this broadcast with James Conlon conducting a youthful ensemble cast of rising stars, led by Iestyn Davies and Kathleen Kim as Oberon and Tytania, King and Queen of the fairies. The quartet of lovers is portrayed by Elizabeth DeShong (Hermia), Joseph Kaiser (Lysander), Erin Wall (Helena), and Michael Todd Simpson (Demetrius). Matthew Rose sings the donkey-headed Bottom and Riley Costello is the mischievous Puck
26 editions published between 1966 and 2016 in English and No Linguistic content and held by 1,680 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
One of opera's most original Shakespeare adaptations comes to live in this broadcast with James Conlon conducting a youthful ensemble cast of rising stars, led by Iestyn Davies and Kathleen Kim as Oberon and Tytania, King and Queen of the fairies. The quartet of lovers is portrayed by Elizabeth DeShong (Hermia), Joseph Kaiser (Lysander), Erin Wall (Helena), and Michael Todd Simpson (Demetrius). Matthew Rose sings the donkey-headed Bottom and Riley Costello is the mischievous Puck
Billy Budd by
Benjamin Britten(
)
95 editions published between 1960 and 2013 in 5 languages and held by 1,552 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Herman Melville's gripping story of good and evil, set on an 18th-century British warship, inspired one of Britten's most brilliant operas. Richard Stillwell is Billy, the young sailor with a stammer and a pure heart whose goodness arouses the hatred of Claggart (James Morris). When Claggart falsely accuses Billy of attempting to incite mutiny, Billy strikes and accidentally kills him. Captain Vere (sung by Peter Pears, Britten's partner and creator of the role, in his last Met performance) has no choice but to have Billy hanged for murder, even though Claggart's changes are false. Peter Glossop is Mr. Redburn and Raymond Leppard conducts
95 editions published between 1960 and 2013 in 5 languages and held by 1,552 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Herman Melville's gripping story of good and evil, set on an 18th-century British warship, inspired one of Britten's most brilliant operas. Richard Stillwell is Billy, the young sailor with a stammer and a pure heart whose goodness arouses the hatred of Claggart (James Morris). When Claggart falsely accuses Billy of attempting to incite mutiny, Billy strikes and accidentally kills him. Captain Vere (sung by Peter Pears, Britten's partner and creator of the role, in his last Met performance) has no choice but to have Billy hanged for murder, even though Claggart's changes are false. Peter Glossop is Mr. Redburn and Raymond Leppard conducts
War requiem : op. 66 by
Benjamin Britten(
Recording
)
115 editions published between 1963 and 2013 in 5 languages and held by 1,478 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
War Requiem for soloists, two choirs and two orchestras, op. 66. Text: Missa pro Defunctis; Poems by Wilfred Owen
115 editions published between 1963 and 2013 in 5 languages and held by 1,478 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
War Requiem for soloists, two choirs and two orchestras, op. 66. Text: Missa pro Defunctis; Poems by Wilfred Owen
War requiem : op. 66 by
Benjamin Britten(
)
100 editions published between 1961 and 2014 in 7 languages and held by 1,472 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
100 editions published between 1961 and 2014 in 7 languages and held by 1,472 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Peter Grimes : an opera in three acts and a prologue derived from the poem of George Crabbe : op. 33 by
Benjamin Britten(
)
105 editions published between 1945 and 2015 in 3 languages and held by 1,464 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
105 editions published between 1945 and 2015 in 3 languages and held by 1,464 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Violin concerto by
Benjamin Britten(
)
45 editions published between 1978 and 2013 in 5 languages and held by 1,437 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
45 editions published between 1978 and 2013 in 5 languages and held by 1,437 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Death in Venice by
Benjamin Britten(
Recording
)
79 editions published between 1974 and 2014 in 5 languages and held by 1,402 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Thomas Mann's celebrated tale of unrequited love and death is given a new perspective in Benjamin Britten's final opera, first performed just a year and a half before this Met broadcast. The composer's long-time companion, tenor Peter Pears, reprises his world-premiere portrayal of Gustav von Aschenbach, the elderly and solitary novelist at the center of the story, who tragically falls in love with the beautiful youth Tadzio (played by a dancer). Pears is joined by two other veterans of the opera's world premiere--John Shirley-Quirk, who plays the seven characters that propel Aschenbach to his destiny, and conductor Steuart Bedford
79 editions published between 1974 and 2014 in 5 languages and held by 1,402 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Thomas Mann's celebrated tale of unrequited love and death is given a new perspective in Benjamin Britten's final opera, first performed just a year and a half before this Met broadcast. The composer's long-time companion, tenor Peter Pears, reprises his world-premiere portrayal of Gustav von Aschenbach, the elderly and solitary novelist at the center of the story, who tragically falls in love with the beautiful youth Tadzio (played by a dancer). Pears is joined by two other veterans of the opera's world premiere--John Shirley-Quirk, who plays the seven characters that propel Aschenbach to his destiny, and conductor Steuart Bedford
A ceremony of carols by
Benjamin Britten(
)
172 editions published between 1950 and 2014 in 8 languages and held by 1,290 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A Ceremony of Carols for boys' choir and harp, op. 28. Text: various poets / A Boy was Born: Choral variations for chorus a cappella, op. 3. Text: var.poets / Rejoice in the Lamb: Cantata for soloists, chorus & organ, op. 30. Text: C. Smart
172 editions published between 1950 and 2014 in 8 languages and held by 1,290 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A Ceremony of Carols for boys' choir and harp, op. 28. Text: various poets / A Boy was Born: Choral variations for chorus a cappella, op. 3. Text: var.poets / Rejoice in the Lamb: Cantata for soloists, chorus & organ, op. 30. Text: C. Smart
The wonderful world of music by
Benjamin Britten(
Book
)
31 editions published between 1958 and 1979 in 3 languages and held by 1,228 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A discussion of music, its terminology, history, theory, styles, appreciation, and means used to produce it. A history of music dealing with such topics as songs and singers, styles in music, composers, etc
31 editions published between 1958 and 1979 in 3 languages and held by 1,228 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
A discussion of music, its terminology, history, theory, styles, appreciation, and means used to produce it. A history of music dealing with such topics as songs and singers, styles in music, composers, etc
A ceremony of carols : op. 28 by
Benjamin Britten(
)
152 editions published between 1934 and 2005 in 7 languages and held by 1,164 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Voix: Choeur de Femmes (3 SSA) ; Accompagnement: Harpe ou Piano ; Langue: Latin, Anglais, Allemand ; Epoque: Contemporain
152 editions published between 1934 and 2005 in 7 languages and held by 1,164 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Voix: Choeur de Femmes (3 SSA) ; Accompagnement: Harpe ou Piano ; Langue: Latin, Anglais, Allemand ; Epoque: Contemporain
The turn of the screw : op. 54, an opera in a prologue and two acts by
Benjamin Britten(
)
84 editions published between 1954 and 2015 in 5 languages and held by 1,094 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
84 editions published between 1954 and 2015 in 5 languages and held by 1,094 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Serenade : for tenor solo, horn, and strings, op. 31 by
Benjamin Britten(
)
88 editions published between 1939 and 2005 in 4 languages and held by 1,084 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
88 editions published between 1939 and 2005 in 4 languages and held by 1,084 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
The young person's guide to the orchestra : variations and fugue on a theme of Purcell : op. 34 by
Benjamin Britten(
)
71 editions published between 1595 and 2010 in 5 languages and held by 1,049 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
71 editions published between 1595 and 2010 in 5 languages and held by 1,049 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Curlew River by
Benjamin Britten(
Recording
)
64 editions published between 1964 and 2014 in 6 languages and held by 1,023 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Curlew River: A Church Parable in One Act, op. 71. Text: William Plomer
64 editions published between 1964 and 2014 in 6 languages and held by 1,023 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Curlew River: A Church Parable in One Act, op. 71. Text: William Plomer
A midsummer night's dream : opera in three acts, op. 64 = Ein Sommernachtstraum by
Benjamin Britten(
)
85 editions published between 1960 and 2016 in 6 languages and held by 995 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
85 editions published between 1960 and 2016 in 6 languages and held by 995 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
Noye's fludde : the Chester miracle play, op. 59, set to music by
Benjamin Britten(
)
68 editions published between 1958 and 2010 in 4 languages and held by 989 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
68 editions published between 1958 and 2010 in 4 languages and held by 989 WorldCat member libraries worldwide
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fewer
Audience Level
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| Kids | General | Special | ||
Related Identities
- Pears, Peter 1910-1986 Other Singer Performer Librettist Conductor Author Editor Narrator Instrumentalist Translator
- English Chamber Orchestra Other Performer Instrumentalist Musician
- London Symphony Orchestra Other Performer Musician Conductor Instrumentalist
- Crozier, Eric Other Librettist Lyricist Bibliographic antecedent Author Contributor Creator Editor Composer
- Bedford, Steuart Other Arranger Performer Conductor Editor Instrumentalist
- Auden, W. H. (Wystan Hugh) 1907-1973 Other Librettist Lyricist Bibliographic antecedent Author Actor
- Rostropovich, Mstislav 1927-2007 Other Singer Performer Conductor Author Editor Instrumentalist
- Shirley-Quirk, John Other Singer Performer Musician Vocalist
- Piper, Myfanwy Other Librettist Adapter Author Contributor Creator Editor Composer
- Holst, Imogen 1907-1984 Other Contributor Arranger Performer Translator Adapter Conductor Author Editor Composer
Useful Links
Associated Subjects
Auden, W. H.--(Wystan Hugh), Authors, American Bartók, Béla, Beethoven, Ludwig van, Berlioz, Hector, Brahms, Johannes, Britten, Benjamin, Carols Christmas music Communal living Composers Concertos (Violin) Debussy, Claude, Dvořák, Antonín, Elgar, Edward, England Fauré, Gabriel, Franck, César, Glinka, M. I.--(Mikhail Ivanovich), Grieg, Edvard, Intellectual life Liszt, Franz, Literary landmarks Live sound recordings Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, Meyerbeer, Giacomo, Music New York (State)--New York New York (State)--New York--Brooklyn Offenbach, Jacques, Operas Operas--Scores Operas--Vocal scores with piano Owen, Wilfred, Puccini, Giacomo, Rachmaninoff, Sergei, Requiems Rossini, Gioacchino, Schubert, Franz, Schumann, Robert, Shakespeare, William, Shostakovich, Dmitriĭ Dmitrievich, Sibelius, Jean, Smetana, Bedřich, Strauss, Johann, Strauss, Richard, Stravinsky, Igor, Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilich, Verdi, Giuseppe, Wagner, Richard,
Covers
Alternative Names
B. Britten
Baron Britten of Aldeburgh
Bendžamin Britn
Bendžamins Britens angļu komponists, diriģents un pianists
Beniaminus Britten
Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten angol zeneszerző, karmester, zongorista
Benjamin Britten Brits dirigent (1913-1976)
Benjamin Britten britský skladatel
Benjamin Britten brittiläinen säveltäjä ja pianisti
Benjamin Britten brytyjski kompozytor i pianista
Benjamin Britten compositeur, chef d'orchestre, altiste et pianiste britannique
Benjamin Britten compositor, director de orquesa y pianista británico
Benjamin Britten compositore, direttore d'orchestra e pianista britannico
Benjamin Britten en änglische Komponist
Benjamin Britten engelsk tonsättare
Benjamin Britten englischer Komponist
Benjamin Britten English composer, conductor, and pianist
Britenas B.
Britenas Bendžaminas
Britenas Bendžaminas Edvardas
Britens, B. (Bendžamins), 1913-1976
Britens, Bendžamins 1913-1976
Brit''n, Benžamen
Britten.
Britten (1913-1976)
Britten B.
Britten, B. 1913-1976
Britten, B. 1913-1976 (Bendzhamin)
Britten, B. (Bendzhamin), 1913-1976
Britten, B. (Benjamin), 1913-1976
Britten, B. E. 1913-1976
Britten, Bendžamen
Britten, Bendžamin.
Britten, Bendžamin 1913-1976
Britten Bendzhamin
Britten, Bendzhamin 1913-1976
Britten Benjamin
Britten, Benjamin E. 1913-1976
Britten Benjamin Edvard
Britten Benjamin Edward
Britten, Edward B.
Britten, Edward B. 1913-1976
Britten Edward Benjamin
Britten, Edward Benjamin 1913-1976
Britten, glazbenik
Brittenas B.
Brittens, B. (Bendžamins), 1913-1976
Britun B.
Britŭn, B. 1913-1976
Britun, B. 1913-1976 (Bendzhamin)
Britŭn, B. (Bendzhamin), 1913-1976
Britun Bendzhamin
Britŭn, Bendzhamin 1913-1976
Buriten, Benjamin 1913-1976
Edward Benjamin Britten
Edward Benjamin Britten Komposer Inggris
Μπέντζαμιν Μπρίτεν
Бенджамин Бриттен
Бенджамин Бритън
Бенджамін Бріттен
Бенжамин Бриттен
Бенџамин Бритен
Бенџамин Бритн
Бриттен
Бриттен Б.
Бриттен, Б 1913-1976
Бриттен, Б. (Бенджамин), 1913-1976
Бриттен барон 1913-1976
Бриттен, Бенджамин 1913-1976
Бриттен Бенджамин Эдвард
Бриттен Э. Б. 1913-1976
Բենջամեն Բրիտտեն
בנג'מין בריטן
בנג'מין בריטן מלחין אנגלי
בריטן, בנג'מין 1913-1976
بنجامين بريتن
بنجامین بریتن
벤쟈민 브리튼 1913-1976
벤저민 브리튼
브리튼, B. E. 1913-1976
브리튼, 벤자민 1913-1976
브리튼, 벤자민 E. 1913-1976
브리튼, 벤자민 에드워드 1913-1976
브리튼, 벤쟈민 1913-1976
브리튼, 에드워드 벤저민 1913-1976
ブリテン
ブリテン, ベンジャミン
ブリトン, B.
ベンジャミン・ブリテン
本杰明·布里顿
斑傑文·布烈頓
班傑明·布瑞頓
Languages
English
(1,559)
Latin (167)
German (74)
Multiple languages (20)
French (10)
Miscellaneous languages (8)
Dutch (4)
Spanish (3)
Russian (2)
English, Middle (2)
Serbian (2)
Chinese (1)
Swedish (1)
Italian (1)
Latin (167)
German (74)
Multiple languages (20)
French (10)
Miscellaneous languages (8)
Dutch (4)
Spanish (3)
Russian (2)
English, Middle (2)
Serbian (2)
Chinese (1)
Swedish (1)
Italian (1)