Peter Pears had been specifically composed for the soprano voice. For Pears, Britten composed one of his most popular works, the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings (1943). In early 1943 Pears joined Sadler's Wells Opera Company. His roles included Tamino in "The Magic Flute", Rodolfo in "La bohème", the Duke in "Rigoletto", Alfredo in "La traviata", Almaviva in "The Barber of Seville", Ferrando in "Così fan tutte" and Vašek in "The Bartered Bride". His growing operatic experience and expertise affected the composition of Britten's opera "Peter Grimes". The composer had envisaged the central figure, based on Crabbe's brutal fisherman, as a
Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1978–79 to 1980–81 period at its regular venues, the company also visited Dortmund (with "Peter Grimes"), Glasgow (with "Nabucco" and "Carmen") and Buxton. At the end of the 1981-82 season, English National Opera North changed its name to Opera North and became an independent entity. Below is a list of main stage operas performed by the company during the period when it was known as English National Opera North. Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1978–79 to 1980–81 Opera North is an opera company based at The Grand Theatre, Leeds. This article covers its establishment and early years. On 10 March 1976, at