Festival celebrates Britten works

A major festival in November will honour the work of British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), featuring performances in several Ontario cities of work with religious themes. Benjamin Britten: A Celebration marks what would have been the composer’s 90th birthday and several other anniversaries – the University of Western Ontario ‘s 125th and the 95th birthday of the festival’s distinguished Canadian impresario, Nicholas Goldschmidt. “The range of his work is extraordinary: its strong link to literature; its sturdy moral base; its musical richness; and its imaginative theatrical qualities recommend it for celebration. His themes, highlighted in this festival, include peace, forgiveness, and rebirth, poignant in these times,” writes Mr. Goldschmidt. From Nov. 9-30, there will be 17 performances of opera, oratorio and chamber music, eight lectures and numerous films with music by Britten. Works include the War Requiem in Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto and London and the opera Noye’s Fludde (Noah’s Flood) at St. Anne’s Anglican church in Toronto . Further information is available at www.BrittenCelebration.com or telephone 416-397-5727.