This composer, conductor and pianist’s life revolved around alliteration: Britten’s siblings were Barbara, Beth and Bob and his professional and personal partner was Peter Pears; his Simple Symphony included the Boisterous Bourrée, the Playful Pizzicato, the Sentimental Sarabande and the Frolicsome Finale and his mother was convinced he’d be the “Fourth ‘B’ after Bach, Beethoven and Brahms”. A scallop shaped sculpture by Maggi Hambling CBE on the beach close to his Aldeburgh home, The Red House, was unveiled in his honour in 2003 and bears the following words from his opera Peter Grimes: “I hear those voices that will not be drowned”.
Lord Britten, OM, CH (better known as Benjamin Britten; 1913 – 1976)
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Sorry to have to correct you: B B’s partner was Peter PEARS. Peter Grimes (no alliteration!) was one of his operas. Who is the ‘General’ to post this?Dagmar Lowe (at present India)
Apologies Dagmar. My fault entirely. Please forgive my mistake. All the best, Matthew
You would have to have a heart of stone not to be able to repress a giggle at the fate of Peter Grimes.
The reality is, that apart from Elgar, we British do not produce great composers: thus when one appears who is not totally boring we make him a Lord and…. and to use that ghastly term beloved of the ignorant….celebrate him.