Britten Pears Arts outlines timeline for re-starting activity at Snape Maltings and The Red House.

Britten Pears Arts today announces an outline of the organisation’s re-opening plans, with the timetable dependent on rollout of the government’s “roadmap”.

Roger Wright, Chief Executive, Britten Pears Arts said, ‘We are excited about the prospect of starting concerts and events again and re-opening our sites and shops. Having played a leading role as one of the first venues to open and give live concerts indoors last year, we are keen to employ musicians again and offer something inspirational and heart-warming to our community. Of course, as with all organisations, our plans are tied to the government’s roadmap for relaxing COVID measures and are therefore subject to change. We will be announcing more detail in due course but want to give an overview of our intentions. As we have already shown, we will be flexible and ready to open as soon as it is allowed and safe to do so. We helped give confidence to the sector last year and with dozens of sold-out performances we proved how keen our audiences are to experience live music again and how much they trust us to present performances safely. We cannot wait to be back up and running and to welcome the public back to both Snape Maltings and The Red House over the coming months.’

Live indoor performances from 21 May

When restrictions on indoor gatherings are expected to be lifted Britten Pears Arts plans to restart live music performance with audiences in Snape Maltings Concert Hall, marking the start of Summer at Snape.

The Red House opens on 20 May

Britten and Pears’ home, The Red House, including the library, composing studio and gallery spaces, will open for visitors to experience its unique atmosphere, intimate charm and a new pop-up outdoor garden café.

Summer Events at Britten Pears Arts: May – September

From 21 May to early September there will be a busy Summer at Snape programme, with concerts and events at Snape Maltings throughout the period. In August Snape Maltings Concert Hall will host daily performances in the spirit of the Snape Proms from outstanding artists and ensembles from the worlds of classical music, folk and jazz.

In addition, there will be outdoor, family-friendly events at Snape Maltings, while at The Red House visitors will be able to enjoy exhibitions, guided tours and events in the library and garden.   

A special series of events in June

In the absence of being able to create a full Aldeburgh Festival in June – with its unique mix of opera, large-scale performances, multiple stages, international artists and a variety of small venues – Britten Pears Arts will offer a series of special events as part of our summer programme recognisably connected to the ethos of the Aldeburgh Festival, including Britten’s music, new work and commissions.

Streamed recitals from The Red House Library

In April and May, before it is possible to run indoor events with audiences, Britten Pears Arts will film performances and events in Britten and Pears’ own Library at The Red House, Aldeburgh to be made available online at later dates.

Shops, Cafés, Galleries and Gardens

At Snape Maltings, the Food Hall and Courtyard Garden shops will re-open on 18 March, followed on 12 April by the other shops, commercial galleries and outdoor café areas. The gardens at The Red House will re-open on 13 April.