Les Illuminations (Britten)

Britten began writing the cycle in Suffolk in March 1939 and completed it a few months later in the United States. It was the first of his song cycles to gain widespread popularity. Nevertheless the work can be, and more often is, sung by a tenor: Britten conducted the piece with Peter Pears as soloist within two years of the premiere. ==Structure==

The work takes about 21 minutes in performance. ==Recordings==

Les Illuminations has been frequently recorded. Among the tenor versions is a 1963 set by Pears and the composer with the English Chamber Orchestra. Soprano versions include those by Jill Gomez and John Whitfield with the Endymion Ensemble (recorded 1987) and Felicity Lott and Steuart Bedford with the English Chamber Orchestra (recorded 1994). ==Ballet versions==

The work has been choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton and Richard Alston. ==Notes==