Suffolk

Snape Maltings is a captivating location with a history as an industrial site built by Newson Garrett going back over 175 years is the location that the composer Mr Benjamain Britten (Baron Britten of Aldeburgh,) wrote his most famous piece 'War Requiem'. A vision was formed between Britten and Peter Pears (a singer) to create the new world famous Aldeburgh Festival with the sole aim of educating and supporting young artists.

 

This site has moved from an industrial malt barley production centre, shipping the Malt Barley by Thames barge to breweries in London and elsewhere. To the location of the internationally renowned annual Aldeburgh festival.  The 810 seat Snape Maltings was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1967.  As well as concert halls there are restaurants, independent retail outlets and educational facilities. 

 

Snape Maltings is still famous for the development of young talent.   The overall aim remains to bridge formal musical education and professional musical life, exposing developing artists in a safe and nurturing environment to the skills and talents of world-class artists and teachers. Over the years, such leading artists as Dame Joan Sutherland, Ann Murray, Sir Thomas Allen, Galina Vishnevskaya, Murray Perahia, Sir Charles McKerras, Elisabeth Söderström and Dawn Upshaw as well as Pears himself have been notable teachers, while its many alumni have included Thomas Adès, Ian Bostridge, Simon Keenlyside and Dame Felicity Lott.

 

This is definitely a day out and will include a stunning evening sunset boat trip with streams of local birds and with a bit of luck a practicing orchestra in the background.  What more could you want?