Benjamin Britten, 1913-76: Pictures from a Life - Tapa blanda

Donald Mitchell has here gathered together over 400 photographs which fascinatingly document the life and times of Benjamin Britten, who died in 1976. From the composer s archives come snapshots taken by the composer himself when he was a youth, as well as very many photographs covering every period of his life. Dr. Mitchell s search for photographs in private (and public) hands at home and overseas has resulted in major discoveries, such as the pictures (not previously available) of the years Britten spent in the U.S.A., from 1939 to 1942. The period of the Thirties too is exceptionally well treated, when Britten was active in film, radio and theatre, collaborating with W. H. Auden and Christopher Isherwood and many other distinguished creative figures of the time. Much of the material is published for the first time, and much is informal. Where possible photographs taken by the family and close friends have been used, and these make a substantial contribution. Dr. Mitchell has had the co-operation of the composer s family, which means that Britten s early years are richly recorded. Not only photographs are included: many important documents, letters and musical MSS also appear, not to mention portraits of the composer - reproduced in colour - and many pictures of his close friends and artistic collaborators. Naturally, the book is rich in photographs of Sir Peter Pears, the singer and lifelong friend of Britten and his principal artistic colleague. The often elaborate captions, based on much original research, provide a text which will be a source of reference for many years to come. There is also a detailed and comprehensive Chronological Table which records the principal events in Britten s life and includes a complete list of his works. This is not a picture book in the conventional sense.