Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears Autographs

Profession:
(1913-1976, Britten) English composer, conductor, and pianist & (1910-1986, Pears) English tenor

Year of Birth: 1913

Benjamin Britten was an influential British composer, conductor, and pianist born on November 22, 1913 in Suffolk, England. He showed musical talent from a young age and began composing at the age of five. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London and later became a central figure in the British classical music scene.

Britten's work is known for its innovative and eclectic style, drawing on a wide range of musical influences including folk music, opera, and church music. He was a prolific composer, producing over 100 works in a variety of genres including opera, chamber music, and choral pieces.

One of Britten's most famous works is the opera "Peter Grimes," which premiered in 1945 to critical acclaim. He also composed the War Requiem, which was first performed in 1962 to commemorate the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral.

Throughout his career, Britten worked with many leading musicians and performers, including the tenor Peter Pears, whom he met in 1937 and with whom he formed a lifelong personal and professional partnership. He also founded the Aldeburgh Festival in 1948, which has since become one of the UK's leading classical music festivals.

Britten was awarded a knighthood in 1963 and received numerous other honors for his contributions to music. He died on December 4, 1976, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the greatest British composers of the 20th century.