Sir Benjamin Britten
Composer & Founder of the internationally renowned Aldeburgh Festival
MapLowestoft-born composer, Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), was in tune with Aldeburgh’s past, present and future. He put the town on the world map with his music festival and concert hall at nearby Snape and from ‘Curlew River’ to ‘Peter Grimes’, he drew inspiration from Aldeburgh’s coast, countryside and long-lost sons.
There are so many Britten connections in and around Aldeburgh from the local people and history which inspired him to the everyday places he knew when he lived here. Or the places like Aldeburgh Cinema and the Jubilee Hall which he supported and cared for, to underpin their future.
Britten received the Freedom of the Borough of Aldeburgh in 1962 at The Moot Hall.
In Maggi Hambling’s ‘Scallop’ memorial to Britten on the beach, the haunting words of local poet George Crabbe, later reimagined by Britten, are brought home to stir up conversations in others.
Was it coincidence, fate or fortune that Crabbe’s house became Newson Garrett’s first Aldeburgh home? Or that Newson’s maltings became Britten’s concert hall? Ah, that’s shape-shifting Aldeburgh!
Walking in Britten’s Footsteps
Take a stroll through ‘Britten Country’ – Around Aldeburgh and the villages around Aldeburgh where Britten lived, worked, performed, walked … or even just shopped!
- Snape – The Old Mill (lived 1937-47)
- Aldeburgh – Crag House (lived 1947-57) – now a private dwelling
- Aldeburgh – The Red House (lived 1957-1976)
- Saxmundham – For the station and shopping!
Walks & Aldeburgh Places with Britten Connections
Britten’s Aldeburgh Walking Trail
Sailor’s Path Walks
Aldeburgh to/ from Snape Maltings and Snape village
