Episode 5
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.
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Music Played
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Benjamin Britten
Lenten is come; The long night (from Sacred and Profane)
Performer: Wilbye Consort Performer: Australian Eloquence
- 4429448.
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Benjamin Britten
Who are these Children? (extract)
Performer: Mark Padmore (tenor) Performer: Roger Vignoles (piano)
- Hyperion CDA67459.
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Benjamin Britten
Sacred and Profane
Performer: St Godric鈥檚 Hymn Performer: Wilbye Consort Performer: Australian Eloquence
- 4429448.
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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: 大象传媒 Singers Performer: City of London Sinfonia Performer: Conductor Richard Hickox
- Chandos CHAN10280-2.
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Benjamin Britten
String Quartet no.3 (final movement)
Performer: Belcea Quartet
- EMI 557 968-2.
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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大象传媒 Radio 3
- Fri 19 Nov 2010 22:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Fri 27 Jan 2012 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Fri 27 Jan 2012 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
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