Declining years
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Benjamin Britten - A Life in Pictures

29. Declining years
After the completion of Death in Vencice, Britten went into the National Heart Hospital and was operated on in May 1973 to replace a failing heart valve. The replacement was successful, but he suffered a slight stroke, affecting his right hand. This brought his career as a performer to an end. He's pictured here in 1975 with Peter Pears at Snape. Photo by Victor Parker. Copyright Britten-Pears Foundation. Image courtesy of www.britten100.org.