Title: Britten's century : celebrating 100 years of Benjamin Britten /
Authors: Bostridge, Mark,; Kenyon, Nicholas, 1951-
Year: 2013
Subjects: Britten, Benjamin,; Composers Great Britain Biography
Abstract: Britten's Century considers various aspects of Britten's life and work. The book is written by biographers, performers and music critics. Here is a wealth of subject matter - Britten's operatic output, his orchestral works, his contribution to the revival of English song. Biographically, this book moves on beyond the relationship with Peter Pears and the salacious speculation about his infatuation with various boys, to a consideration of Britten's experience as a homosexual man living in a largely homophobic society. Another area here which is often overlooked is the view of Britten from outside the British Isles - the USA and Italy, where his operas have long been extremely popular.
Contents: The outsider and the insider / Nicholas Kenyon -- Britten's biographers / Paul Kildea -- The Britten century / Philip Brett -- Fathers and godfathers / MIchael Berkeley -- Working with Britten / Janet Baker -- Britten and the gang / Peter Parker -- Auden, Britten and Night mail / Blake Morrison -- Auden, Britten and The habit of art / Alan Bennet -- A haunting relationship : Janette Miller talks to Hannah Nepil -- Death in Venice : a personal narrative / Colin Matthews -- Peter Grimes : now gossip is put on trial / Nicholas Hammond -- Gloriana as music drama : a reaffirmation ; Britten's last masterpiece / Hans Keller -- Conducting Britten : Edward Gardner talks to Nicholas Kenyon -- A Britten childhood / Ian Bostridge -- A dancer before God : Britten's Five canticles / Roger Vignoles -- "Almost miraculous" : Britten's music for orchestra / Guy Dammann -- Britten and the piano / Stephen Hough -- Britten and the race to the finish / John Bridcut -- Back to the future : the work of the Britten-Pears Foundation / Richard Jarman.