Britten

### Key Works and Themes

1. **Operas**:

   - *Peter Grimes* (1945): Britten’s most famous opera, based on a poem by George Crabbe. It tells the tragic story of a fisherman who is ostracized by his community and ultimately drowns himself. The work includes the *Four Sea Interludes*, orchestral pieces often performed separately, which vividly depict different moods and settings in the opera.

   - *Billy Budd* (1951): Based on Herman Melville’s novella, this opera explores themes of good versus evil, focusing on the tragic character Billy Budd and his relationship with the malevolent Claggart.

   - *Albert Herring* (1947): A comic opera about a shy young man who is made the May King. This work contrasts Britten’s darker operas, showcasing his versatility and humor.

   - *The Turn of the Screw* (1954): A chamber opera based on Henry James's novella, it deals with supernatural elements and the corruption of innocence, featuring a 12-tone theme that transforms across the scenes.

2. **Choral and Orchestral Works**:

   - *War Requiem* (1962): Commissioned for the consecration of the Coventry Cathedral, this work combines the Latin Requiem Mass with the war poetry of Wilfred Owen. It is a powerful anti-war statement, with recurring tritone motifs and an unusual combination of two orchestras and a boys’ choir.

   - *The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra* (1945): A didactic piece based on a theme by Henry Purcell, it introduces each section of the orchestra through variations, concluding with a fugue.

   - *A Ceremony of Carols* (1942): A choral piece written for Christmas, featuring settings of medieval texts and characterized by its distinctive harp accompaniment.

3. **Collaborations with Peter Pears**:

   - Many of Britten’s vocal works were composed specifically for Pears, including *Les Illuminations* and *Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings*. Their partnership was both personal and professional, significantly shaping Britten's compositions.

### Frequent Clues for Quizbowl

1. **Peter Grimes**: Often referenced in connection with *Four Sea Interludes*, the tragic character of Peter Grimes, and the theme of a fisherman who is accused by his community and ultimately dies at sea.

2. **War Requiem**: This piece is frequently mentioned with references to Wilfred Owen’s war poetry, its anti-war message, and the consecration of Coventry Cathedral. Key movements like the *Libera Me* and the recurring tritone motif are notable.

3. **The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra**: Known for its use of a theme from Henry Purcell’s *Abdelazer* and the structure of introducing each orchestral section through variations.

4. **Billy Budd**: This opera often comes up in association with its stammering title character, Claggart, and themes of good and evil on a British warship.

5. **A Ceremony of Carols**: Referenced in relation to its medieval text settings and harp accompaniment, particularly during the holiday season.

6. **Albert Herring**: Known as Britten’s comic opera about a meek May King, showing a lighter side of his operatic output.

7. **Themes of Innocence and Guilt**: Frequently explored in his operas, especially in *Peter Grimes* and *The Turn of the Screw*, reflecting Britten's interest in complex moral and psychological issues.

### Related Quizbowl Facts with Fill-in-the-Blanks

1. *Peter ___1___* is Britten’s opera about an outcast fisherman who drowns himself after being blamed for his apprentice’s death.

2. The *War ___2___* was written by Britten for the consecration of Coventry Cathedral and includes settings of Wilfred Owen’s poems.

3. The *Young Person's Guide to the ___3___* introduces each section of the orchestra using variations on a theme by Henry Purcell.

4. *Four Sea ___4___* are orchestral pieces from *Peter Grimes* that depict different moods and settings.

5. *A Ceremony of ___5___* is Britten’s choral work for Christmas with harp accompaniment.

6. *The Turn of the ___6___* is Britten's chamber opera based on a novella by Henry James, featuring a 12-tone theme.

7. *Billy ___7___* is an opera by Britten based on a Melville novella, focusing on themes of good and evil on a warship.

### Fill-in-the-Blanks Answers

1. Grimes

2. Requiem

3. Orchestra

4. Interludes

5. Carols

6. Screw

7. Budd

Repeated clues and references in the **Benjamin Britten** questions:

1. **War Requiem** - 35 occurrences  

   - This choral work, which includes settings of Wilfred Owen's anti-war poems alongside the Latin Requiem Mass, is one of Britten's most frequently mentioned compositions. It was written for the consecration of the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral and features recurring use of a C-F-sharp tritone motif.

2. **Peter Grimes** - 34 occurrences  

   - Britten's opera *Peter Grimes*, based on a character from George Crabbe's poem *The Borough*, frequently appears in questions. Themes such as the titular fisherman's struggle, the “Four Sea Interludes” suite, the "Embroidery Aria," and Peter Pears’ performance are common details.

3. **Four Sea Interludes** - 26 occurrences  

   - These orchestral interludes from *Peter Grimes* are often mentioned in questions. Each interlude—*Dawn*, *Sunday Morning*, *Moonlight*, and *Storm*—depicts the atmosphere of the setting and is widely performed as an independent concert suite.

4. **The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra** - 23 occurrences  

   - This didactic piece, based on a theme from Henry Purcell's *Abdelazer*, is another frequently mentioned work. It introduces each instrument of the orchestra and ends with a complex fugue.

5. **Peter Pears** - 19 occurrences  

   - Britten's long-time partner, the tenor Peter Pears, for whom Britten composed many leading roles, including the title role in *Peter Grimes*, is frequently referenced.

6. **Albert Herring** - 15 occurrences  

   - This comic opera about a timid young man crowned May King, who later has a debauched night out, is another often-cited Britten work. It was inspired by Guy de Maupassant’s *Le Rosier de Madame Husson*.

7. **Wilfred Owen's Poetry** - 12 occurrences  

   - The inclusion of Wilfred Owen's anti-war poetry in the *War Requiem* is frequently highlighted, especially poems like *Strange Meeting* and *Anthem for Doomed Youth*.

8. **Sinfonia da Requiem** - 9 occurrences  

   - Commissioned by the Japanese government but rejected for its Christian titles, the *Sinfonia da Requiem* appears regularly in questions. It features movements like "Lacrymosa," "Dies Irae," and "Requiem Aeternam."

9. **Billy Budd** - 8 occurrences  

   - Britten's opera *Billy Budd*, based on Herman Melville’s novella, includes the characters Claggart and Captain Vere and focuses on themes of innocence and malevolent authority. It’s a notable part of Britten’s operatic output.

10. **The Turn of the Screw** - 7 occurrences  

    - This chamber opera, based on Henry James’s ghost story, includes a twelve-tone theme that recurs in variations between scenes. It tells the story of a governess, Miles, and the haunting of Bly.

11. **A Ceremony of Carols** - 6 occurrences  

    - This Christmas choral piece, written for SSA choir and harp, features movements like "Balulalow" and "Deo Gracias," and showcases Britten’s use of medieval texts and modal harmonies.

12. **Rejoice in the Lamb** - 5 occurrences  

    - A setting of Christopher Smart's *Jubilate Agno*, this work includes solo sections such as "For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry" and shows Britten's interest in unique English texts.