Mason, Benedict (1954– )

English composer. His highly eclectic and allusive music includes Playing Away, premiered in Munich in 1994, which was alleged to be the first opera to be based on football.

He studied with Peter Maxwell Davies, and with Pousseur in Liège. He has won several international prizes, including the Siemens Stiftungpreis in 1992.

Works Ensemble Lighthouses of England and Wales for orchestra (1987) and Concerto for the Viola Section (1990); The Hinterstoisser Traverse for 12 players (1986), Nodding Trilliums and Curved Line Angles for four solo percussion and 15 players (1990).

Vocal Chaplin Operas for mezzo, baritone, and 22 players (1988), Seven Self-Referential Songs and Realistic Virelais for soprano and 16 players (1990), Oil and Petrol Marks on a Wet Road are sometimes held to be spots where a rainbow stood, for 16 voices (1987);

Electronic Six Rilke Songs (1991), Animals and the Origins of the Dance (1992) and Colour and Information (1993).

Other two string quartets (1987, 1993); six Etudes for piano (1988).