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Donald Macleod focuses on Benjamin Britten's late works, including his final opera, Death in Venice, which features his last major role he would write for his partner, Peter Pears.

Britten had struggled with ill health throughout his life. He put off much needed heart surgery in order to complete his final opera, Death in Venice, premiered at the Aldeburgh Festival in 1973. In the fifth programme Donald Macleod introduces an extract from that work which features the last major role he would write for his life partner Peter Pears, plus a movement from one of his rare late chamber works, the string quartet no.3, and a complete performance of his dramatic cantata Phaedra, sung by its dedicatee, Janet Baker.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 27 Jan 2012 18:30

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Music Played

  • Benjamin Britten

    Lenten is come; The long night (from Sacred and Profane)

    Performer: Wilbye Consort Performer: Australian Eloquence

    • 4429448.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Who are these Children? (extract)

    Performer: Mark Padmore (tenor) Performer: Roger Vignoles (piano)

    • Hyperion CDA67459.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Sacred and Profane

    Performer: St Godric’s Hymn Performer: Wilbye Consort Performer: Australian Eloquence

    • 4429448.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Death in Venice Act I, Sc.7: from 'First, the race!' to end of act

    Performer: Philip Langridge (Aschenbach) Performer: Michael Chance (The Voice of Apollo) Performer: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Singers Performer: City of London Sinfonia Performer: Conductor Richard Hickox

    • Chandos CHAN10280-2.
  • Benjamin Britten

    String Quartet no.3 (final movement)

    Performer: Belcea Quartet

    • EMI 557 968-2.
  • Benjamin Britten

    Phaedre

    Performer: Janet Baker (mezzo soprano) Performer: English Chamber Orchestra Performer: Conductor Steuart Bedford

    • London 425 666-2.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 19 Nov 2010 12:00
  • Fri 19 Nov 2010 22:00
  • Fri 27 Jan 2012 12:00
  • Fri 27 Jan 2012 18:30

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