Pears, Sir Peter (1910-1986), was an English opera and concert singer of international repute. He developed a technique that made sensitive use of his tenor voice. In 1936, Pears met the British composer Benjamin Britten. Pears achieved fame with his performances in works by Britten. Pears was particularly successful creating the title role in Britten’s opera Peter Grimes (1945). Pears also sang in the premieres of several other Britten operas and vocal works. In addition, Pears was a noted interpreter of the songs of the German composers Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.
Peter Neville Luard Pears was born on June 22, 1910, in Farnham, Surrey, England. He began his career as an organist in Oxford, and later taught music in a school. In 1933 and 1934, he studied at the Royal College of Music. Pears made his stage debut in London in 1942 and joined the Sadler’s Wells opera company in 1943. Pears help found the English Opera Group in 1946. In 1948, he helped found the Aldeburgh Festival of Music. Pears was knighted in 1977. He died on April 3, 1986.
