London, 25 September 2009

Keith Grant was General Manager of the Covent Garden Opera Company, later the Royal Opera, and the English Opera Group, from 1962 to 1973. He accompanied Britten on the latter's tour to the Soviet Union in September– October 1964, and, as a fluent Russian speaker, was sometimes asked by the composer to translate Shostakovich's letters.

How did you first come to work with Britten?

In 1962 I was appointed to do the double job of looking after the Covent Garden Company and the English Opera Group. I was told by the then General Administrator of the Opera House, Sir David Webster, that my career in opera would very much depend on my ability to deal with Benjamin Britten, who was notoriously demanding. Thus my working association with Ben began, and I had nearly twelve very rewarding years at his side.

What was the background to the 1964 English Opera Group's tour to the Soviet Union?

I was aware in my first week that in 1961, at the previous Aldeburgh Festival, Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya had not only won the hearts of the Festival audience but had already cemented a strong friendship with Ben and Peter Pears. I have little doubt that the English Opera Group visit to the Soviet Union in 1964 was very much stimulated and encouraged, virtually insisted upon, by Rostropovich, who was a man of huge determination and negotiating skill. Because I was a Russian speaker I was often called into consultation and discussion.

Ben adored Vishnevskaya's artistry; she had what he called a ‘peasant voice’, which she used to intense dramatic effect. The premiere of the War Requiem in 1962 to mark the rebuilding of Coventry Cathedral was somewhat marred by her absence. At the last minute the Soviet authorities refused to allow her to participate, in spite of the fact that the soprano part had been specially written for her.