Britten: Death in Venice

Death in Venice is arguably Benjamin Britten's most heartrending and personal Opera. Composed relatively late in his life and under very dire conditions (he put off major surgery to finish it) Britten at the time clearly must have identified with the psychological and emotional dilemma of Mann's main character Aschenbach given the scores many intensely inspired moments. As usual, Britten wrote the main role with his longstanding companion tenor Peter Pears in mind whose definitive performance here will surprise no one. If you've enjoyed Britten's more familiar Operas such as Peter Grimes and Billy Budd, Death in Venice is the sensible next step.