Benjamin Britten

‘I’ve stumbled deep into alien territory’: our sportswriters and arts critics swap jobs

What would happen if our arts critics and sports writers swapped roles for a day? How does the English National Opera compare to the Premier League … or the NFL to a West End musical? Our experts found out last week

Louise Taylor, Barney Ronay, Jonathan Liew, Tanya Aldred, Robert Kitson, Lyndsey Winship, Arifa Akbar, Alexis Petridis and Flora Willson

04, Nov, 2024 @5:00 AM

Albert Herring review – Britten’s postwar comic opera sits surprisingly well in the 21st century

Impressive debuts, thoughtful characterisations and an Albert who was easy to root for helped Scottish Opera’s production feel remarkably timely

Keith Bruce

08, Sep, 2024 @1:04 PM

Prom 37: Britten’s War Requiem review – a tragically relevant act of remembrance

Antonio Pappano seized every opportunity to build dramatic tension, while the London Symphony Orchestra played with fire and focus

Clive Paget

18, Aug, 2024 @11:34 AM

The Rape of Lucretia review – British Youth Opera goes subterranean for a rip-roaring Britten

Director Talia Stern transforms an idealised tale of sexual violence in Rome into a shatteringly visceral, thoroughly contemporary show, led by a tender yet searing Alexandria Moon

Clive Paget

13, Aug, 2024 @2:40 PM

Songs for Peter Pears album review – wide-ranging and lucid collection

Irish tenor Robin Tritschler presentation of songs written for Benjamin Britten’s professional and personal partner of nearly 40 years is a fine achievement

Andrew Clements

27, Jun, 2024 @3:00 PM

Kim Brandstrup: Echo and Narcissus review – small miracles of mirroring

This exquisitely formed dancework inspired by Greek myth explores desire and dysfunction

Sanjoy Roy

25, Jun, 2024 @10:35 AM

Sumidagawa/Curlew River review – Britten’s work reunited with its medieval Japanese inspiration

New staging of Britten’s work, first seen at the Aldeburgh festival 60 years ago, complemented by authentic Noh play

Rian Evans

24, Jun, 2024 @7:43 AM

‘I’ve always been a glass half full person’: Aldeburgh festival’s outgoing CEO Roger Wright

After 10 years at the helm of Britten Pears Arts, Wright is stepping down. He looks back at his festival highlights, and forwards to classical music’s increasingly uncertain future.

Andrew Clements

13, Jun, 2024 @11:49 AM

Claire Seymour obituary

Other lives: Teacher, academic and writer with specialisms in Thomas Hardy and the operas of Benjamin Britten

David Butler

11, Jun, 2024 @4:27 PM

Britten: Violin Concerto Chamber Works album review – bravura and brilliance as Faust turns to Britten’s violin writing

Violinist Isabelle Faust, violist Boris Faust and pianist Alexander Melnikov honour Britten’s exuberant works with vigour and determination

Erica Jeal

11, Apr, 2024 @3:00 PM

Ben and Imo review – Mark Ravenhill races Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst towards a coronation deadline

Samuel Barnett and Victoria Yeates as the composer and his ‘assistant’ test the limits of collaboration as they work towards the completion of Britten’s 1953 opera Gloriana

Clare Brennan

10, Mar, 2024 @11:30 AM

Death in Venice review – Britten’s final opera soars in WNO’s captivating staging

Olivia Fuchs’ new production casts aerialists as the Polish family to stunning effect. Mark Le Brocq is a sympathetic Aschenbach and Leo Hussain conducts with a sure hand