The premiere of Britten's "Our Hunting Fathers" in 1936 was not a success, baffling and scandalizing the audience and critics, and it failed to enter the repertoire.
Historical Context
Britten's "Our Hunting Fathers" was influenced by the turbulent political background of 1936, including the Spanish Civil War and rising Fascism in Europe.
Composition History
Britten's "Quatre Chansons Françaises" were composed in 1928 when he was a 14-year-old schoolboy, but remained unpublished and unperformed during his lifetime.
Composer Biography
Benjamin Britten, the composer, began private composition lessons with Frank Bridge, whose cosmopolitan outlook introduced Britten to contemporary European musical trends.
Performer Biography
Felicity Lott, a soprano on this album, has received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates and being made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1996.
Composition History
Britten's "Our Hunting Fathers" was commissioned by the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Festival and premiered there in September 1936.
Performer Biography
Steuart Bedford, one of the conductors on this album, is recognized as a leading expert on Benjamin Britten's works and conducted the world premiere of Britten's opera "Death in Venice" in 1973.
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