Sir Peter Neville Luard Pears CBE ( his name rhymes with â cheersâ ) ( born Farnham 22 June 1910 died Aldeburgh 3 April 1986 ) was an English tenor and life-long partner of the composer Benjamin Britten . Sir Peter Neville Luard Pears CBE ( `` peerz '' ; 22 June 1910-3 April 1986 ) was an English tenor who was knighted in 1978 . His career was closely associated with the composer Edward Benjamin Britten .