Photos of orchestral instruments courtesy 123rf.com
Thanks to the English Chamber Orchestra from South Ealing, London, @ECOrchestra on Twitter, for suggesting today's topic: Benjamin Britten.
One of my favorite childhood memories is discovering The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten. Later I enjoyed the interactive computer program designed by a Mr. Winter in southern California that taught more about Britten and the Guide. One of my most profound experiences as a young lady was seeing the Metropolitan Opera's production of Billy Budd in New York. Then during my first semester in grad school I was assigned to read and report on the 744 page Benjamin Britten: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter. So to say that Britten has been a thread throughout my life isn't an exageration.
What I didn't know is that Britten saved nearly everything he wrote, he rarely threw anything away, so that now the collection of his works, letters, and other writings is the most comprehensive collection by a composer of any other in the world. This collection is kept in his home in England, The Red House, for all to see. For more information click here.
Thanks again to the English Chamber Orchestra, @ECOrchestra on Twitter, for suggesting today's topic. What did you learn today?
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