The Tenderness of Silent Minds

In The Tenderness of Silent Minds, Martha C. Nussbaum explores the intersection of war, emotion, and the human body through the lens of Benjamin Britten's music. Focusing on Britten’s representation of the tender male body amidst wartime brutality, Nussbaum examines his thirty-nine-year partnership with singer Peter Pears and the pacifist themes within Britten’s work. Through a critical analysis of Britten's compositions and collaborations, along with insights from his personal letters, Nussbaum provides a nuanced understanding of the societal and political contexts that shaped Britten’s art in mid-twentieth century Britain.