He is known specifically for his operas and choral works which use intimate consort-like instrumental combinations and unusual choral combinations.

His works frequently made use of boy choirs or soloists and often had boy-related themes (see for example "A Boy is Born," "Hymn to St. Peter," "Voices for Today," "Children's Crusade," and "Lift Boy"). Some of his works were specifically written for young people, such as his "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," "Let's Make an Opera," and "Friday Afternoon."

His operas include "The Turn of the Screw" and "Death in Venice." The latter was based on Thomas Mann's pederastic novella about a writer who is overwhelmed with his passion for a beautiful boy.

Britten was attracted to both adult men and boys; many of his relationships with boys are described in Humphrey Carpenter's biography of Britten. According to Carpenter, Britten often kissed and cuddled young boy singers. Also, Donald Mitchell and Phillip Reed's Letters From A Life: Selected Letters and Diaries of Benjamin Britten documents his relationships with boys as young as 12.

Sources:

• Britten's biography at Classical Music Web.
• Benjamin Britten at Emory University's website of Twentieth Century Composers.
• Britten's biography at Naxos (a classical recording label).
• Benjamin Britten at the website of the Lesbian and Gay Staff Association of South Bank University in London.
• Humphrey Carpenter, Benjamin Britten: A Biography, London: Faber and Faber, 1992.
• Donald Mitchell and Phillip Reed, Letters From A Life: Selected Letters and Diaries of Benjamin Britten, London: Faber and Faber, 1991.