Britten and Pears: ‘A Life of the Two of Us’
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.พ. 2019
- Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears were together from 1939 until Britten’s death in 1976. Yet during Britten’s lifetime, neither spoke publicly about their relationship or sexuality. In some ways, this is hardly surprising given that homosexuality was illegal until it was partially decriminalised in 1967. Yet even after that date, they remained silent on the matter, although not long before he died Britten had urged Donald Mitchell - who had been planning a biography of the composer - to ‘tell the truth about Peter and me’. After Britten’s death, Pears became more open about the true nature of their relationship, giving interviews for documentaries and to the gay men’s magazine 'The Advocate'. Mitchell co-edited a pictorial biography of Britten in 1980 ('Pictures from a Life'), and Pears remarked that it was not ‘the story of one man. It’s a life of the two of us’.
Their shared life is thoroughly documented in touching and vivid detail by the wealth of material the two men left behind. This short film tells the story of their relationship through archival material (such as receipts and hotel bills), home movie footage, correspondence, and some surprisingly bold statements in Britten’s own music.
Music credits:
‘Being Beauteous’ from Les Illuminations
Peter Pears (tenor), Benjamin Britten (piano)
(P) NMC 2012
Website: bit.ly/2BkbCHP
‘Sonetto XXIV’ from Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo
Peter Pears (tenor), Benjamin Britten (piano)
(P) NMC 2012
Website: bit.ly/2BkbCHP
‘Sonetto LV’ from Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo
Peter Pears (tenor), Benjamin Britten (piano)
(P) NMC 2012
Website: bit.ly/2BkbCHP
Canticle I: My beloved is mine
Andrew Tortise (tenor), Malcolm Martineau (piano)
(P) Onyx 2011
Website: bit.ly/2HPy9Sr
To me, it was obvious v early on in their friendship that Pears was gone on Britten, had eyes only for him.
never heard that haunting
song of Britten's that came at the end, quite beautiful.
What beautiful film. Thank you.
Way too short. Please, can you get hold of the VHS 1985 documentary film The Tenor Man’s Story, 45 min. aired on tBBC telly?! HOPING 🤞🙏🏼 Many thanks in advance!!!
th-cam.com/video/5YqgiOj54Ko/w-d-xo.html BB certainly didn't like anyone poking fun at Peter Pear's distinctive voice. Apparently they were in the audience and although Pears 'took it all good part' as they say Britten, thin skinned as ever, stormed out of the theatre and never spoke to Dudley Moore again .
Thank you David
The single thumb's down is obviously from a homophobe. Who else could it be?
Some religious people of
An interesting and endearing presentation.
Suzette Hill I agree. I Love Britten’s music and Peter Pears voice. Interesting to see those dockets etc. but I’m more interested in their musical relationship. Fascinating commentary especially in the way the music was a thin disguise for their love. As a straight man, I relate to the love themes as universal. Music like Britten’s surmounts everything temporal.
Wish a movie will be made of the coupls long, loving , life. Affirmation of true love of two men.
The constraints of straight society ? Didn't seem to trouble
Rattigan , Coward , Maugham and countless others . ?
Was the Theatrical profession granted immunity ....or perhaps everyone just assumed involvement in Theatre
pre - supposed " gayness " . Presumably you couldn't flaunt
it : whatever that entailed. ? Maybe people didn't realise
Noel was gay..?!?!? Or didn't care.?
I’m gay and have been in an exclusive relationship with my partner for 40 years. I don’t celebrate the Britten - Pears “ situation “ as it is not a partnership if both are out making it with other men. I consider it a friendship with “ benefits” only. Celebrate the music but these two were certainly not partners.
Your idea of a partnership is very narrow. Others can define it on their own terms, and if it works for them, who are we to judge?
Their personal letters to each other from 1930s to 1970s has been published as a book, titled My Beloved Man. The title is quoted direly from Britten's letter to Pears in Dec 1942. If this does not speak enough, the book's collection of 365 letters have much more to tell. Each of those letter includes clues that reveal their intimate relationship for more than just friends. They were truly partner in life and work. Their relationship, as themselves had wrote to each other, is a marriage in all but names.
A terrible shame :(
Its such a shame his seedy lifestyle and questionable behaviour with underage boys that is conveniently avoided soils his musical contribution.
which one was taker?
According to the biographer Christopher Headington, BB is the partner who relies on emotional support from his partner, and who enjoys playing the role needs cuddling as well. PP is the active and sometimes dominant partner. Though both men have quite strong personalities, when they had fights it's usually PP who concede first.