Person    | Male  Born 22/11/1913  Died 4/12/1976

Benjamin Britten

Categories: Music / songs, Seriously Famous

Countries: Germany, USA

Composer. Born Lowestoft on St Cecilia's Day (patron saint of music). Royal College of Music, Founder of English Opera Group 1946 and the Aldeburgh Festival. Composer of opera Peter Grimes and other significant operas, other compositions include the War Requiem and Death in Venice. Met W.H. Auden at the GPO Film Unit. Encouraged by Auden Britten went to America in 1939 and lived there in a bohemian household with his life partner Peter Pears, Auden, Carson McCullers, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Peter and Jane Bowles. Auden and Britten collaborated on a number of projects at the GPO Film Unit, most famously Night Mail, and later in America the operetta Paul Bunyan. But they had a major falling out and Britten returned to the UK in 1942 when he registered as a conscientious objector to the war. First ever composer to become a life peer. Died at home, the Red House, Aldeburgh.

Credit for this entry to: Beverley Duguid

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Benjamin Britten

Commemorated ati

Benjamin Britten - N1

Unveiled by Sir Peter Pears.

Read More

Benjamin Britten - NW8

Benjamin Britten, composer, 1913 - 1976, and Peter Pears, singer, 1910 - 1986...

Read More

Benjamin Britten - SW5

Benjamin Britten O.M.,1913-1976, composer, lived here 1931-1933. English Heri...

Read More

Other Subjects

Frankie Vaughan

Frankie Vaughan

Singer. Born Frank Fruim Abelson at Liverpool Maternity Hospital. Known as 'Mr Moonlight' because of his signature tune 'Give Me The Moonlight'. He had some success with cover versions of American ...

Person, Cinema, Music / songs

1 memorial
Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury

Singer and songwriter. Born Farrokh or Faroukh Bulsara in Government Hospital, Zanzibar, Tanzania. His family moved to Britain in 1964, settling in Feltham. After graduating from college, he tried ...

Person, Music / songs, Seriously Famous, Africa

3 memorials
Samuel Wesley (musician)

Samuel Wesley (musician)

Eminent musical composer and organist, second son of Charles and Sarah Wesley. Buried in Bunhill burial ground.

Person, Music / songs

3 memorials
Joseph Haydn

Joseph Haydn

Composer of the Classical period - prominent and prolific.  Born Austria as Franz Joseph Haydn.  Aged 6 he was sent away to train as a musician. Worked primarily for the wealthy Esterházy family.  ...

Person, Music / songs, Seriously Famous, Austria

2 memorials
Hunky Dory

Hunky Dory

The fourth studio album recorded by David Bowie. It includes now classic tracks such as 'Changes', 'Oh! You Pretty Things' and 'Life on Mars?'

Media, Music / songs

1 memorial

Previously viewed

David Henry Stone

David Henry Stone

Chairman of the managers that ran the 1873-75 changes at Aske’s Hospital. Lord Mayor of London 1874-5.

Person, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Boars Head pub

Boars Head pub

2018: Martyn Cornell debunked the text on the pub's plaque and provided the following, more trustworthy information: The pub owner’s name was J. G. Mooney & Co Ltd. based in Dublin, and founde...

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial