Q.1
What was the name of Britten's singer partner and companion, who created the first performances of many of Britten's works and opera roles?
  • Myfanwy Piper
  • Peter Pears
  • Charles MacKerras
  • Julian Bream
Q.2
In the spring of 1942, Britten returned to the UK (!) from America by ship across an Atlantic teeming with U-boats. To pass the time usefully (even amid the noises aboard) he composed for 3-part boys' choir, accompanied by which instrument?
  • Organ
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Harp
Q.3
Except when touring abroad, or in London, Britten spent most of his life in the region where he had been born and later settled. Which area of the country was this?
  • The West Country
  • The Lake District
  • The Sussex Downs
  • East Anglia
Q.4
Britten defied serious ill-health as a baby and went on to be a keen sportsman ... at which of these games, in particular?
  • Rowing
  • Tennis
  • Running
  • Football
Q.5
Which ONE of these modern-classic works for all-age audiences is also by Britten?
  • Peter and the Wolf
  • The Carnival of the Animals
  • The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
  • Babar the Elephant
Q.6
Britten loved being with children, and writing and performing music for and with them. He wrote various musical works to be performed by large all-age community groups such as villages and churches, including the story of 'Noyes' Fludde'. For this, children can play the percussion part when the raindrops begin to fall. What do they hit to make this sound?
  • Coins
  • Spoons
  • Teacups
  • Milk bottles
Q.7
At time of writing this quiz (spring 2015) we have fairly recently marked the centenary of Britten's birth. In what year was he born?
  • 1912
  • 1913
  • 1914
  • 1915
Q.8
Britten was a pacifist (i.e. he did not believe in war, though two World Wars were fought during his lifetime). His 'War Requiem' had its first performance in 1962 in a brand-new British cathedral built alongside the ruins of a medieval one which had been bombed-out in an air raid. In which city?
  • Coventry
  • Canterbury
  • Chichester
  • Chester
Q.9
One quite new form of music in Britten's young days was the writing, performance and recording of film-scores. Britten famously wrote the music for a documentary film made by the GPO, with words by the poet WH Auden. What was the film called?
  • Over the Border
  • Pillar to Post
  • Night Mail
  • The Life of Letters
Q.10
The exact date of his birth was also important to Britten since it was the feast day of the Patron Saint of music. What is her name?
  • St Cecilia
  • St Melodia
  • St Flautina
  • St Bella
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