Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was an acclaimed English composer, pianist, and conductor. Having demonstrated musical talent from a young age, Britten began studying with composer Frank Bridge in London before going on to study piano and composition at the Royal College of Music. During his college years, he was exposed to the works of Mahler, who had a great influence on his musical style, and won several awards for composition.

From 1935-37, Britten established a friendship with poet W. H. Auden, who brought him into his intellectual circle and profoundly impacted his musical style and political views. During this time, Britten successfully worked on many film, radio, and theater projects, though he struggled socially and with his homosexuality. After the death of his mother in 1937, Britten felt more liberated and established a romantic, sexual, and musical relationship with tenor Peter Pears.

Britten rose to prominence as an opera composer in 1945 with the premiere of his famous opera, Peter Grimes. The work was based on a character from a poem by George Crabbe and was met with great success. Britten went on to compose several more popular operas, including The Rape of Lucretia, The Turn of the Screw, and Death In Venice. His operas are celebrated for their adept settings of English text, compelling orchestral interludes, and dramatic storytelling. Other popular works by the composer include The Young Composer’s Guide to the Orchestra and his masterpiece, the War Requiem, a massive work that commemorates the loss experienced in the World Wars. He also was one of the founders of the Aldeburgh Festival, a classical music festival that often performs new compositions and still exists today.

In 1976, shortly before his death, Britten became the only composer at the time to ever receive a life peerage. His works are still frequently performed, and he is touted as one of the most important English composers of the twentieth century. 

Photo credit: National Portrait Gallery, London