 With Britten, Pears was a co-founder of the Aldeburgh Festival in 1947 and the Britten-Pears School in 1972.After Britten died in 1976, Pears remained an active participant in the festival and the school, where he was director of singing.His voice had a distinctive timbre, not to all tastes, however he could use his voice very well in singing many musical styles.