Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Who are these children? (1969)

for tenor and piano

  • General information
    • Composition date : 1969
    • Duration : 19 mn
    • Publisher : Faber Music
    • Opus : 84
    • Dedication : 'To Tertia Liebenthal'
    • Libretto (details, author) :

      ‘Lyrics, Rhymes and Riddles by William Soutar’

Detailed formation
  • 1 solo tenor, 1 piano

Premiere information

  • Date : 4 May 1971
    Location :

    Edinburgh, National Gallery of Scotland


    Performers :

    Peter Pears et Benjamin Britten.

Table of contents

  1. A Riddle (The Earth)
  2. A Laddie's Sang
  3. Nightmare
  4. Black Day
  5. Bed-time
  6. Slaughter
  7. A Riddle (The Child You Were)
  8. The Larky Lad
  9. Who are These Children?
  10. Supper
  11. The Children
  12. The Auld Aik