Snape Maltings is primarily famous for its world-renowned concert hall, a major part of the Aldeburgh Festival. The festival was founded in 1948 taking place in Aldeburgh and other locations along the Suffolk coast. Because of the success of the festival Britten began exploring ways to build a larger venue and leased the biggest building in the Snape Maltings complex from George Gooderham in 1965.
The concert hall was opened by the HM Queen Elizabeth in 1967, and has been a central hub for music and the arts in Suffolk, with an international reputation.
Quite apart from its reputation as a centre of excellence for music and the arts, the location on the banks of the tidal river Alde, surrounded by the ever moving reeds, is a superb place to visit and listen to Suffolk’s coastal wildlife.
But if you thought that Aldeburgh Festival was all about formal, classical music you would be wrong. There is much more to Aldeburgh Festival than you might think. Here is a roundup of some of the highlights on offer:
Orchestral fireworks to start Summer at Snape in style with the brilliant City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra playing Elgar and Tchaikovsky.
An unforgettable evening with the double Grammy and MOBO Award winner and her band with a range of her timeless hits plus some new music from her most recent album.
This sensational show for pop-lovers of all ages features countless chart-topping tracks in spectacular symphonic versions presented by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
A celebration of cinematic classics with the inimitable big-band sound, featuring music from Breakfast At Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther, James Bond, and many others.
The inspirational, soulful vocalists bring to Snape their simple mission: to spread as much love and light as possible through music.
Featuring excerpts from Star Wars and Holst’s The Planets, stellar conductor Dalia Stasevska leads brilliant young players in a musical exploration of space and the night sky.
The Britten Studio is transformed into an atmospheric jazz club for multi award-winning jazz vocalist Claire Martin and the accomplished Swedish trio.
Join Concerteenies for the musical story of Blown Away, for children aged 3+ and their families.
A live version of the critically acclaimed CBeebies children’s TV show with the double MOBO Award-winning YolanDa Brown.
This celebrated early-music group, praised by King Charles III for “world-class performances”, presents sparkling choral music including Handel’s Dixit Dominus.
Be transported to a 17th-century London tavern – a bawdy melting pot of folk, ballads and storytelling brought to life by exceptional musicians. Let early music group Barokksolistene take you back in time with this award-winning show.
The five-star vocal ensemble makes its Snape Maltings debut with some of the greatest music of the Renaissance, including Allegri’s timeless Miserere.
Following their sell-out 2024 concert, the Olivier Award-winning Irish Baroque Orchestra return to Snape with a performance of Handel’s dramatic Alexanders Feast.
Join the legendary Scottish trailblazers for a night of contemporary folk sounds that draw on musical influences from around the world.
An exhilarating celebration of the living tradition of West African music with this London-based collective, presented in partnership with Wooden Roots.
The 2024 National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain present a spellbinding evening of uplifting music.
A radiant evening with She’Koyokh, a versatile and prize-winning band comprising seven expert musicians of the rich folk-music traditions of Jewish Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Balkans.
World-renowned pianist Benjamin Grosvenor returns with Robert Schumann’s passionately expressive Fantasie and Mussorgsky’s dramatic Pictures at an Exhibition.
Jess Gillam, one of the most recognisable and popular voices on BBC Radio 3, joins forces with the thrilling sound of the BBC Concert Orchestra to present This Classical Life.
A meditative exploration of the breathtaking expanse of the Norwegian landscape with jazz musician Daniel Herskedal.
The brilliant Imogen Cooper, among the finest English pianists, plays a compelling programme of Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas.
Those are just the highlights! For the full Aldeburgh Festival programme click here.
