PNB Repertoire Credits
British composer Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) studied with Frank Bridge and at the Royal College of Music. After WWII, he founded a new English-language opera tradition with works including Peter Grimes, Billy Budd, and The Turn of the Screw. Britten’s craftsmanship and versatility produced works ranging from large-scale symphonic scores to songs and choral works. Recurring themes include conflicts between the outsider and society, innocence and experience, moral good and lurking evil, and beauty and passion.