Latest news with #BenjaminBritten
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A Visit to Friends/The Gildas Quartet review – Colin Matthews's luminous new opera opens Aldeburgh in fine style
Few events feel as haunted as the Aldeburgh festival. Nearly 80 years since it was established by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears – and decades since their deaths – the couple still loom large in its Suffolk environs, their project continued by younger friends and collaborators. None are more eminent than the composer Colin Matthews, who assisted Britten in the final years of his life. Now 79, Matthews has produced his own first opera, on a Chekhov-inspired libretto by William Boyd: the world premiere of A Visit to Friends opened this year's festival, on the same stage where Britten's Death in Venice made its debut 52 years ago. A Visit to Friends features an opera within the opera: scenes of a work with a libretto by Chekhov and a score by an unknown composer that Matthews models on Scriabin are interrupted by the 'real world' of rehearsals. Life imitates art imitating life; it's 'a very complicated visit to friends', as one character says. We hop between stages of the rehearsal process, while the internal opera's plot pushes on. In Leanne Vandenbussche's ingeniously simple set, the wall of a modern rehearsal room revolves to reveal the disintegrating veranda of a once-grand Russian house. Harsh lighting flicks up as run-throughs are halted. The rehearsal pianist slides on and off (upright and all). Colours play constantly across a video backdrop, as if taking the temperature of the action. Matthews' score moves between the charged, late-Romantic meandering of the internal opera and something a little more incisive for the rehearsals. But much of the music is slow and delicately loose-limbed, its stagiest moment (a freeze-frame-like trio and quartet) in 'real life', not the fictional opera. Gesturally, though, the opera's thespiness – hand-clasping, studied pointing, walking with an extravagant turning-circle – is a world away from the rehearsal's naturalism. That the self-conscious cleverness of the framing device didn't pall says much about both the quality of performance and the lucidity of Rachael Hewer's production. The small cast was uniformly excellent: Marcus Farnsworth was smoothly unpleasant as Misha/Marcus, Susanna Hurrell a bright, brittle Nadia/Natalie and Edward Hawkins a pitch-perfect parody of a certain brand of director. Lotte Betts-Dean's Varia/Vanessa dominated, her mezzo so effusively rounded it was as if she kept finding the resonant frequency of the auditorium. Conducted by Jessica Cottis, Aurora Orchestra revelled in Matthews' suavely luminous score. More Matthews followed the next morning: the world premiere by the Gildas Quartet of his Quartet No 6, between the Three Idylls by Britten's teacher Frank Bridge and Beethoven's String Quartet No 9 in C, Op 59 No 3. The eight movements of Matthews' quartet were vividly characterised: there were impish cascades of pizzicato, melodic lines that wandered, unhurried, and a slow-motion elegy that lingered like the perfume of a loved one. Bridge's Three Idylls showcased the Gildas's fine-grained, mellow tone and total musical symbiosis. Their Beethoven was exquisitely stylish, from the cool, vibrato-free introduction to its final intoxicating rush. It was an utterly compelling performance: exhilarating playing that urged us to listen anew. The Aldeburgh festival continues until 29 June.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Banksy, Britten and The Darkness inspire youngsters
Composer Benjamin Britten, The Darkness and Banksy are being cited as positive influences for young people in an English seaside town. Six students from three different high schools in Lowestoft have used the inspirations to help them write the 2025 Suffolk Day proclamation. Their words, focusing on a "brighter future" for Britain's most easterly town, have been read at the Houses of Parliament ahead of a ceremony in Lowestoft on Suffolk Day - which is taking place on Saturday 21 June. Suffolk Day, inspired by Yorkshire Day, was started in 2017 and is celebrated on the summer solstice, as Ness Point is the first to see the sunrise. Lily-Rose and Tilly from Benjamin Britten Academy, Beth and Ella from Ormiston Denes Academy, and Willow and Naomi from East Point Academy each wrote parts of the proclamation. It starts with: "We want to tell you about the bright future that awaits Lowestoft. A place where creativity and community thrive." Beth, 15, included references to Suffolk councils declaring a climate crisis in 2019, and pledging action. She said: "It does provide our area with hope, because we can see the impact it has had on our local area." The proclamation continues: "Art and culture are the bright future of Lowestoft. "We are the birthplace of Benjamin Britten and his inspirational music that transcended the globe. "We are the canvas for Banksy's spraycation. We are home to three flourishing theatres. "Moreover, Lowestoft was the maiden voyage for the award-winning band The Darkness." Lily-Rose said: "There's a lot of art around the town. They've done lots to incorporate arts and culture where we live." The proclamation continues: "As we look ahead, Lowestoft stands tall as a beacon of progress and pride - a town where the spirit of innovation meets the warmth of tradition. "From our historic roots to our forward-thinking future, we are a community united by purpose and place." The Suffolk Day ceremony includes presenting medals to celebrate community achievements, and moves to a different host town each year. This year events in Lowestoft coincide with the annual First Light Festival, which takes place on the beach on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. The Darkness squash Latitude 'bugbear' Benjamin Britten statue will be put up next summer 'Wow moment' as work begins on offshore wind farm A guide to Banksy's 'Great British Spraycation' Suffolk Day First Light Festival
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Lowestoft students inspired by Banksy, Britten and The Darkness
Composer Benjamin Britten, The Darkness and Banksy are being cited as positive influences for young people in an English seaside students from three different high schools in Lowestoft have used the inspirations to help them write the 2025 Suffolk Day words, focusing on a "brighter future" for Britain's most easterly town, have been read at the Houses of Parliament ahead of a ceremony in Lowestoft on Suffolk Day - which is taking place on Saturday 21 Day, inspired by Yorkshire Day, was started in 2017 and is celebrated on the summer solstice, as Ness Point is the first to see the sunrise. Lily-Rose and Tilly from Benjamin Britten Academy, Beth and Ella from Ormiston Denes Academy, and Willow and Naomi from East Point Academy each wrote parts of the starts with: "We want to tell you about the bright future that awaits Lowestoft. A place where creativity and community thrive."Beth, 15, included references to Suffolk councils declaring a climate crisis in 2019, and pledging said: "It does provide our area with hope, because we can see the impact it has had on our local area." The proclamation continues: "Art and culture are the bright future of Lowestoft."We are the birthplace of Benjamin Britten and his inspirational music that transcended the globe. "We are the canvas for Banksy's spraycation. We are home to three flourishing theatres. "Moreover, Lowestoft was the maiden voyage for the award-winning band The Darkness."Lily-Rose said: "There's a lot of art around the town. They've done lots to incorporate arts and culture where we live." The proclamation continues: "As we look ahead, Lowestoft stands tall as a beacon of progress and pride - a town where the spirit of innovation meets the warmth of tradition."From our historic roots to our forward-thinking future, we are a community united by purpose and place."The Suffolk Day ceremony includes presenting medals to celebrate community achievements, and moves to a different host town each year events in Lowestoft coincide with the annual First Light Festival, which takes place on the beach on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Suffolk coastal town dubbed 'London-on-Sea'
A much-loved Suffolk coastal town has been dubbed 'London-on-Sea' after becoming so popular with those living in the capital. The national news outlet My London described Aldeburgh as a place Londoners are heading to for staycations or even permanent moves. The popular seaside town has earned the nickname 'London-on-sea'. My London said: "While taking a stroll along Aldeburgh Beach, you'll discover a trove of historical treasures, such as the Quatrefoil Martello Tower, a relic from the Napoleonic Wars era. "There's also a charming Norman church and a beautifully converted windmill known as Green Fort. "Make sure to keep an eye out for the iconic Aldeburgh Scallop, a striking four-meter high steel shell sculpture installed on the beach to honour Benjamin Britten, the esteemed 20th-century composer and a former local of Aldeburgh. "The buzz of the waterfront is only amplified by the quaint traditional fisherman's huts peppered across the sand, where visitors have the chance to purchase some freshly-caught seafood directly from the locals." There is plenty to do in the town whether it be enjoying the glorious pebble beach, visiting one of the many great restaurants or trying out some award-winning fish and chips. Those looking for a place to stay are spoilt for choice but one place that constantly receives national recognition is The Suffolk. The town has also been named one of the best places to live in the UK by the expert property finders at Garrington. It was described as "one of Suffolk's gems" with its pastel-coloured houses serving as the backdrop to the pebble beach.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Pretty UK seaside town named 'London-on-Sea' with one of Britain's best beaches
This seaside town in Suffolk has one of the UK's most impressive beaches, dotted with traditional fishing huts selling freshly-caught seafood and iconic art installations For all the galleries, parks and restaurants London has to offer, there is one thing locals still yearn for: the sea. While the UK has no shortage of charming seaside villages and coastal towns, only one has earned the moniker 'London-on-Sea'. Aldeburgh in Suffolk has claimed the impressive title. The picturesque seaside town has everything you could want from a classic UK staycation, including a sandy beach and some of the best fish and chips this side of Britain. Less than a two-hour train ride from London Liverpool Street, it's no surprise it has become a frequent favourite for Londoners. As reported by MyLondon, Aldeburgh's title of 'London-on-Sea' isn't just a colloquial nickname, the village was featured in a guidebook with that exact title. Situated between the River Alde and a stretch of English coastline overlooking the North Sea, this Suffolk town offers a distinct vantage point. The main attraction for travellers will certainly be the pebble beach, home to colourful 19th-century holiday villas and a historic watchtower. Aldeburgh Beach is a shingle and sand beach and consistently ranks among the top spots in Suffolk and East Anglia. It has been recognised as one of the top five shingle beaches in the country, winning several national awards including a prestigious Blue Flag. In addition to the fine shore and surf, Aldeburgh Beach is home to many historic and artistic treasures. One such feature is the Quatrefoil Martello Tower, a relic from the Napoleonic Wars era. There's also a Norman church and a converted windmill known as Green Fort nearby. But the most well-known fixture of the beach is the Aldeburgh Scallop. This four-meter high steel shell sculpture was installed on the beach to honour Benjamin Britten, the esteemed 20th-century composer who enjoyed regular walks between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. There are no kiosks on the beach, but there are traditional fisherman's huts dotted across the sand where visitors can buy some freshly-caught seafood directly from the locals. Barring that, visitors can head into town for some battered fish. The Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop has previously been honoured with the title of Britain's best fish and chip spot, and Tripadvisor reviews attest to its quality. One visitor commented: "I love fish and chips, and this was the best I've ever had from a takeaway. The fish had beautiful light batter, and was translucent, flaky and delicious. Great chips too. Excellent." From grand hotels to cosy rental properties, Aldeburgh offers plenty of accommodation options for travellers. The Wentworth Hotel is one of the most luxurious in the seaside town - just 20 yards from the beach and home to an award-winning restaurant. Those looking for a more laid-back option can stay at The Cross Keys. This beachfront inn exudes old-world charm and the rooms and in-house restaurant have modern, clean furnishings. Again, the train from London to Aldeburgh is quick and frequent, but you can also get there easily by car. The drive from the capital to Aldeburgh via the A12 takes less than three hours.
