Benjamin Britten (1913-76) changed the course of English music with
highly original works such as his opera Peter Grimes. While his music
is performed more widely than those of any other English composer, his
international success did not prevent him from continuing to draw
inspiration from his native land. In this engaging biography, the author
creates a portrait of a great artist, exploring his wide-ranging
compositions in detail and discussing the many contradictions that
pervaded Britten's fascinating life and career.