Knowing Britten is a vivid and insightful account of Steuart Bedford's long association with both Britten the man and his music - 2021 Book of the Year -Presto Music The conductor and pianist Steuart Bedford (1939-2021) could not remember a time when he did not know Benjamin Britten. His mother, Lesley Duff, sang with the English Opera Group in the premieres of The Rape of Lucretia and Albert Herrring in the late 1940s, and the family was closely involved with Britten and Pears for many years. Following his music studies and time on the music staff at Glyndebourne, Bedford joined the English Opera Group, gradually becoming Britten's trusted surrogate conductor. As Britten's health began to fail, he took on responsibility for the premiere performances of Britten's final opera, Death in Venice, including its US premiere at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and the dramatic cantata Phaedra among others.

About the Author
STEUART JOHN RUDOLF BEDFORD OBE (31 July 1939 - 15 February 2021) was an English orchestral and opera conductor and pianist.

Reviews
A deeply heartfelt account with a wealth of personal photos.... A loving tribute to two great musicians, a must for Britten fans. -- Susan Pierotti * Stringendo, Journal of the Australian Strings Association *



Book Information
ISBN 9780957167223
Author Steuart Bedford
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Bittern Press
Publisher Bittern Press