An abundance of good amateur choruses has meant the NSO can tackle big choral works and, more recently, opera.

BBC: Musical destinations: Taipei, Taiwan

Many were in unfamiliar musical territory and unlike classical choral works, much of the material was not written down.

NPR: The Gospel According to Chanticleer

Britten created a remarkable musical catalog, from operas like "Billy Budd, " "Peter Grimes" and "Death in Venice" to orchestral, choral and solo works, establishing him as one of the leading lights of the 20th century all the while bucking the tide of trendy experimentation.

WSJ: The Sounds of Sacrifice | Benjamin Britten | War Requiem | Masterpiece by Stuart Isacoff