This album is a tribute to composer Benjamin Britten, whose 50th anniversary of death will be commemorated in 2026. It was conceived by conductor Lawrence Foster, who together with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra presents the impressionism of the British composer, characterized by post-romanticism. On the program is his work "Illuminations," based on a poem by Rimbaud and often sung by tenors, but originally composed in 1940 for soprano. Here we hear the young and already highly successful French soprano Julie Roset as soloist, with a captivating interpretation.

Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" was commissioned by the British Ministry of Education in 1945 and is a series of variations on a theme by Purcell that showcase each instrumental family in the orchestra. Although the Sinfonia da Requiem (1940) was commissioned by the Japanese government to celebrate the 2600th anniversary of the Mikado dynasty, Britten dedicated it to the memory of his parents. Finally, the Choral Dances from "Gloriana" come from the opera dedicated to the Queen of England, who was crowned six days before its premiere on June 2, 1953.