Singing Britten for Tenors: A Practical Guide to Technique and Interpretation

For tenors, singing Britten's music needn't be a daunting task. This book offers helpful insights into singing this unique repertoire.

Benjamin Britten's music for tenor is among the most expressive and challenging in the vocal repertoire. Written by a composer with deep knowledge of the human voice, it demands technical precision, stylistic awareness, and interpretive intelligence.

This book offers the first comprehensive, singer-centered guide devoted exclusively to Britten's tenor repertoire. Designed for performers and teachers alike, the book examines arias from Britten's chamber and grand operas, art songs in four languages, canticles, and selections from oratorio.

Author Ron Brendel addresses the specific technical issues that define Britten's vocal style, including passaggio singing, voce finta, vowel modification, articulation, straight tone, sprechstimme, glissandi, and breath management. Each work is approached with careful attention to how Britten's compositional gestures affect the singer and how informed technical choices lead to effective interpretation.

The book also places Britten's writing in historical and artistic context, emphasizing his collaboration with tenor Peter Pears while encouraging singers to apply these insights to their own vocal identity. Clear musical examples, detailed commentary, and a summative chart make this an indispensable resource for studio work, repertoire study, and performance preparation.

For tenors ready to engage deeply with Britten's music - and for teachers guiding them--this book transforms a daunting repertoire into an attainable and rewarding artistic pursuit.

REVIEWS and WORDS OF PRAISE

Singing Britten is an amazing book and a comprehensive guide for tenors. A hands-on book that is practical, smart and honest. It is a must read for singers, teachers and vocal coaches or anyone who would like to know more about Britten and his compositional style for the tenor voice.
--Valerie Trujillo, Professor of Vocal Coaching and Accompanying at Florida State University

Here is an in-depth look at Britten's affinity for the tenor voice. In Ron Brendel's book, you will find technical discussion of vocal production, thorough historical background for many of the composer’s works, and numerous examples illustrating specific elements of Britten's writing. But most interesting to me are the insightful and relevant comments that give context and direction to the reader alongside the technical vocal teaching. Brendel offers excellent commentary just as a vocal coach would. Having sung several Britten operas and other works, I agree with Brendel that it's essential to consider and integrate the composer's intentions, trusting the magical way Britten captures the full capabilities of the human voice.
--Gregory Kunde, International Opera Singer. Over 40 years at every major opera house in the world

For multiple reasons, Benjamin Britten loved writing for the tenor voice. Ron Brendel's new book is too, a labor of love. Drawing on his performance, teaching, and research experiences, Dr. Brendel has fashioned a meticulous analysis of Britten's compositional approach. This thoroughly realized volume will prove invaluable for any singer, coach, or teacher who approaches the work of one of the 20th century's vital and original musical voices.
--Dugg McDonough, Fruehan Associate Professor of Opera and Artistic Director of the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at Louisiana State University

Ron Brendel, tenor, is Professor of Voice and director of graduate studies in music at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. He has nearly 40 years of teaching and singing experience and has presented widely on topics of Britten's vocal music. He holds the DMA in voice performance from Temple University.