Michael Tippett

About

World War II-era British composer. His most famous musical works include an opera entitled The Midsummer Marriage and an oratorio called A Child of Our Time.

Before Fame

During the 1920s, he trained at London's Royal College of Music. He published his first musical compositions when he was thirty years old.

Trivia

A 1960s visit to the United States introduced into his compositions elements of the blues and jazz.

Family Life

He and his brother Peter were the children of Henry Tippett and Isabel Kemp. He struggled with his homosexuality throughout much of his life. After nearly marrying a woman, he finally allowed himself to have relationships with men.

Associated With

He was often compared to fellow twentieth-century composer Benjamin Britten.