Summer at Snape 2025

26 July – 31 August

Britten Pears Arts today announces Summer at Snape, a month-long celebration of music running from 26 July – 31 August. The programme features over 40 events with something for everyone: from orchestral classics and contemporary jazz to folk, choral music and reggae. Britten Pears Arts’ aim is simple: to ensure that music and the arts transform people’s lives and bring the community together. Summer at Snape offers a programme filled with opportunities for audiences to listen to live music, take part in workshops, explore our summer exhibitions and the Suffolk landscape, and enjoy family-focused activities.

  • Concerts: From classical hits with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to innovative new music from a previous residency artist Aditya Prakash. See the double Grammy and MOBO award winner Corinne Bailey Rae and experience the soulful sound of London Community Gospel Choir.  Other performances include folk band Blazin’ Fiddles, sing along to ABBAphonics and enjoy a special concert marking Bob Marley’s 80th birthday.

  • Families: A summer of creativity for young people – family concerts with award-winning musician YolanDa Brown and her band, plus the musical story of Blown Away with Concerteenies for an introduction to music. Celebrate the talents of Aldeburgh Young Musicians, and for BPA’s youngest audiences, try the Mini Music Makers sessions. 

  • Take part: Join in the Aldeburgh Carnival and the animated performers of The Alehouse Sessions, plus music and mindfulness wellbeing workshops with Quietnote. The curious can head to The Red House on a tour to pore over the extensive art collection and see behind the scenes.

  • Explore: Visitors can make a day of it with tranquil boat trips on the River Alde, the Sunday Breakfast Club with live DJ, and be inspired at the Summer Contemporary art exhibition.

  • Snape Maltings is in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with breath-taking views and walks. The Red House in Aldeburgh is a short distance from the stunning Suffolk coastline.

  • There is also a range of eclectic independent shops and galleries at Snape Maltings which support the charitable activities of Britten Pears Arts.

Event highlights include:

  • Orchestras include the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, Sinfonia Smith Square, Britten Sinfonia, BBC Concert Orchestra, and Irish Baroque Orchestra

  • Soloists include pianists Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, Benjamin Grosvenor, and Imogen Cooper, and multi-instrumentalist Olivia Chaney

  • Ensembles include Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, BBC Big Band, London Community Gospel Choir, vocal ensemble Stile Antico, and Flowers Band

  • The jazz and blues line-up features The Clare Teal Seven, Claire Martin and the Martin Sjöstedt Trio, and Daniel Herskedal

  • The folk and world line-up features Peatbog Faeries, Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene, Blazin' Fiddles, Aditya Prakash, and She’Koyokh

  • Pop and popular classics from Corinne Bailey Rae, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, and YolanDa Brown

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive, Britten Pears Arts commented, ‘Our aim with Summer at Snape is to welcome everyone, whether long-time supporters or first-time visitors, to our two destinations and experience how music and the arts can inspire, uplift and bring people together. Our summer programme has always had a wide range of activity and musical styles with performances from major orchestras, emerging young artists, and boundary-pushing ensembles. We’re excited to invite audiences to enjoy, explore, and participate - whether in the Concert Hall, The Red House Garden, or out in the Suffolk landscape. We can’t wait to welcome you this summer.’

Detailed Programme information

Snape Maltings Concert Hall

Orchestras

  • The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and conductor Thomas Søndergård open Summer at Snape with one of the most famous and instantly recognisable pieces of music, Elgar’s timeless Cello Concerto, performed by Maximillian Hornung. The programme also includes Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony (27 July, 5pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The celebrated early music group, the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra led by its newly appointed Choir Director and Britten Pears Young Artist Programme alumnus Jonathan Sells, presents a vibrant programme of choral masterpieces. The concert includes Handel's Dixit Dominus, two of Bach’s renowned motets, and works by Purcell, including his poignant Funeral Sentences, composed for the funeral of Queen Mary (28 July, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Freeman, present ABBAphonic, featuring star vocalists Emma Kershaw and Katie Birtill, and symphonic renditions of ABBA’s greatest hits (16 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The brilliant emerging musicians of Sinfonia Smith Square, “the upbeat to the future of classical music”, with conductor Simon Over, return with a programme of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and Pál Hermann’s Cello Concerto, reconstructed by Fabio Conti, with soloist Sam Lucas on Hermann’s own recently rediscovered instrument (20 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Britten Sinfonia returns with a richly varied programme of orchestral colour, directed by Zoë Beyers. The concert features Sibelius’ folk-inspired Rakastava, Arvo Pärt's Tabula Rasa with violinists Miranda Dale and Zoë Beyers, Mozart’s Symphony No. 39, and Gavin Higgins’ 2020 Proms commission, Rough Voices, conducted by Tess Jackson (27 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • One of the most recognisable and popular voices on BBC Radio 3, Jess Gillam, joins forces with the BBC Concert Orchestra - conducted by Chief Conductor Anna-Maria Helsing, conductor and curator Edwin Outwater, and Conductor Laureate Barry Wordsworth - for a live edition of This Classical Life, recorded for later broadcast on BBC Radio 3 (29 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Ireland’s flagship period-instrument orchestra, the Olivier Award-winning Irish Baroque Orchestra, returns following its sold-out concert in 2024. Conducted by Director Peter Whelan, they close Summer at Snape with a performance of Handel's Alexander's Feast, featuring soloists Hilary Cronin, Hugh Cutting, and Stuart Jackson. (31 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

Visiting Artists

  • Pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko – winner of the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition - gives a solo piano recital of Bach, Chopin, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff (13 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Grammy-nominated singer and multi-instrumentalist Olivia Chaney presents an evening of music centred on her contemporary re-workings of the baroque composer Purcell (19 Aug, 7.30pm, Britten Studio).

  • Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor returns with a solo piano recital comprising Schumann’s Fantasie and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (24 August, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Pianist Imogen Cooper performs Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas (30 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings concert Hall).

Ensembles 

  • The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, led by Tõnu Kaljuste, celebrate Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday year with a selection of his works, including Magnificat, Peace Upon You, Jerusalem, and the UK premiere of Für Jan van Eyck. Also featured are works by Bach, Ukrainian composer Galina Grigorjeva, Estonian Veljo Tormis, and excerpts from Rachmaninov’s Vespers (1 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The BBC Big Band presents The Sound of Cinema, an evening inspired by some of the greatest movie soundtracks of all time including music from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther, James Bond and more. Featuring special guest vocalist Emer McParland and arrangements curated by the band’s long-time conductor, Barry Forgie (3 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The London Community Gospel Choir, renowned for its collaborations with Adele, Elton John, Tom Jones and Gregory Porter, brings its uplifting message of love, peace and unity in a joyous celebration of gospel music (7 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Vocal ensemble Stile Antico makes its Snape Maltings debut with Golden Renaissance, a programme of choral works drawn from their award-winning discography, including Allegri’s Miserere, as well as music by 17th-century greats Byrd, Tallis, Gibbons, alongside Huw Watkins’ The Phoenix and the Turtle, written specially for the group (21 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Brilliant Brass: Flowers Band - the 2024 National Champion Band of Great Britain – the first band from the West of England to win the title in the competition’s 124-year history – makes its Snape Maltings debut with an evening of brass-band classics and new arrangements. The programme features Paul Richards (soprano cornet) and Emily Evans (horn), and includes music by Dvořák, Bliss, and Ivor Novello Award winner Gavin Higgins, alongside familiar hits from stage and screen (23 Aug, 7,30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

Jazz & Blues

  • Four-time British Jazz Singer of the Year and celebrated BBC Radio 2 and Jazz FM broadcaster, Clare Teal returns with her all-star band. The Clare Teal Seven celebrates 30 years of a remarkable career with one of her signature performances, richly infused with jazz and renowned for its warm, witty storytelling and great arrangements (9 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Multi award-winning jazz vocalist Claire Martin joins forces with the acclaimed Martin Sjöstedt Trio for an intimate evening of jazz in the Britten Studio, transformed into a cosy, cabaret-style club for the occasion. With a programme of classic jazz standards and contemporary music including songs by Elvis Costello and Rufus Wainwright (15 Aug, 7.30pm, Britten Studio).

  • Norwegian jazz musician and composer Daniel Herskedal presents his solo project Resonance, offering a meditative soundscape inspired by the beauty of the Norwegian landscape. Blending tuba and bass trumpet with elements of classical, world and improvised music (26 Aug, 7.30pm, Britten Studio).

Folk & World

  • The Peatbog Faeries present a night of contemporary folk sounds that draw on musical influences from around the world. Hailing from the Isle of Skye, they have created a mixture of traditional sounds and dance-floor grooves that have been embraced worldwide. Drawing upon a dazzling myriad of influences from jigs and reels, through dance music to jazz, African, and more. (2 Aug, 7pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The Alehouse Sessions are curated and devised by Bjarte Eike and offer a unique take on the music of the 17th-century Reformation London taverns. Following the success of their BBC Four film in 2023, Eike and his ensemble, Barokksolistene, celebrate folk music, fiddle tunes, drinking songs, and sea shanties - all performed entirely from memory. Dancers from the Norwegian group Mamelukk add a uniquely Nordic element to this popular show (6 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The Balimaya Project is a celebration of the living tradition of West African music with this London-based collective, presented in partnership with Wooden Roots. Drawing on the talent and expertise of London-based musicians from Burkina Faso to the Gambia and assembling a 16-piece band, the Balimaya Project seeks to redefine West African music’s journey and to unite generations and backgrounds in a celebration of cultural fusion (10 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Blazin' Fiddles return with an evening of traditional music from the Highlands. For over a quarter of a century, no other band has quite captured Scottish fiddle music’s variety, energy and sensitivity like this Scotland’s folk supergroup (22 August, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Award-winning vocalist Aditya Prakash presents ROOM-i-Nation, a multimedia performance exploring identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience. Blending Karnatik classical music, soundscapes, video projection and personal storytelling, this work draws on Aditya’s own experiences growing up between Los Angeles and India (14 Aug, 7.30pm, Britten Studio).

  • She’Koyokh, one of the UK’s finest and most entertaining exponents of global music, brings an irresistible Klezmer Party. This virtuosic seven-piece band – comprising clarinettist Susi Evans, double bassist Paul Moylan, percussionist Christina Borgenstierna, vocalist Çiğdem Aslan, guitar and kaval player Matt Bacon, and violinist Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton – weaves together the rich folk traditions of Jewish Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Balkans (28 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

Pop and popular classics

  • Double Grammy and MOBO Award winner Corinne Bailey Rae and her band perform a selection of Rae’s greatest hits including Put Your Records On, Trouble Sleeping and Like a Star, plus some new music from her most recent album (31 July, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Breakfast Club on Sunday morning with DJ Issy B providing the soundtrack to start the day (19 August, from 9am, River View Cafe & Bar, Snape Maltings).

  • Award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown celebrates what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday. This tribute show cements his legacy as a musical icon whose messages of love, freedom, and unity continue to resonate with audiences around the world (17 Aug, 7.30pm, Britten Studio).

Participatory Events & Family Concerts

  • Quietnote presents gentle, music-led mindfulness sessions, offering calming and creative workshops for all ages. There will be sessions led by Quietnote’s founder Will Crawford for children aged 0–3 and their parents (10am), and for children aged 4–10 (11am). Each session blends soothing music, mindful games and shared moments of relaxation, encouraging early emotional awareness and joyful connection through sound. (29 July, 10am and 11am, The Red House, Aldeburgh)

  • Concerteenies presents Blown Away, a musical adventure for children aged 3+ and their families, as part of a UK tour. Narrated by Polly Ives and featuring flautist Meera Maharaj and pianist Dominic Degavino, this interactive concert brings to life Rob Biddulph’s much-loved picture book through new music by award-winning composer Paul Rissmann, digital animation by Victor Craven, and a lively mix of classical and popular works with music by Saint-Saëns (Carnival of the Animals), Kaija Saariaho, Elena Kats-Chernin, and the calypso classic London is the Place for Me, featured in the film Paddington (30 July, 11am & 2pm, Britten Studio).

  • Double MOBO Award-winning saxophonist and TV presenter YolanDa Brown presents a live version of her hit CBeebies show -YolanDa’s Band Jam – a fun-filled musical adventure for children and their grown-ups. Dubbed “Jools Holland for kids,” the BAFTA-nominated, RTS Award-winning show introduces young audiences to music through singing, dancing, and playing, while exploring instruments, styles, and sounds from around the world (17 Aug, 11am & 1pm, Britten Studio).

Developing Young Artists

  • Aldeburgh Young Musicians (AYM) is an artist development programme for musicians aged 10-18. Part of the national network of Centres for Advanced Training, AYM facilitates the musical development of over 30 young people, unlocking their potential through a range of inspirational and immersive residential courses and additional activities. AYM teams up with clarinettist and composer Arun Ghoshfor an open session exploring Indian music - blending classical traditions with contemporary sounds in a new collaboration (1 Aug, 4pm, Britten Studio).

  • In partnership with FolkEast Festival, Aldeburgh Young Musicians present new music inspired by stories from the local area (8 Aug, 5pm, Britten Studio).

  • In the Leavers’ Celebration, AYMs will celebrate the musical achievements of the 2025 graduates (30 July, 5pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The Suffolk Youth Orchestra, led by Millie Wood and conducted by John Paul Jennings, present a programme of Mussorgsky’s Night on the Bare Mountain, Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, and César Franck’s Symphony in D minor (4 Aug, 7.30pm Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, with conductor Dalia Stasevska, present an evening of space-themed music, featuring a selection from John Williams’ Star Wars, Caroline Shaw’s The Observatory, and Holst’s The Planets (8 Aug, 7.30pm, Snape Maltings Concert Hall).

  • Group A at Aldeburgh Carnival: A free summer project for ages 8 – 18, with singing, dancing and movement, ending in a performance at the Aldeburgh Carnival. The project is free to take part, but places must be booked in advance. Bookings will open in June (18 August, Aldeburgh High Street).

The Red House

  • American tenor David Tayloe and pianist Dylan Perez present an intimate recital of English song on Britten’s own piano. The programme features song cycles by Finzi and Warlock, alongside works by Purcell (in realisations by Britten and Thomas Adès), Herbert Howells, and Percy Grainger (1 Aug, 3pm, The Red House).

  • Behind the Scenes at The Red House offers an exclusive inside view of spaces not usually open to the public, and the opportunity to meet the dedicated team responsible for Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears’ beloved home. There will also be a range of activities, tours, and talks available throughout the day.

  • The Red House offers access to Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears' personal collections, archive, and art. Visitors can also enjoy guided tours through Britten and Pears’ house, studio and library, and discover manuscripts, papers, rare books, and art.

Visual Art

  • Britten Pears Arts curates the second edition of its Summer Contemporary exhibition, with work by more than 150 artists from across the UK, many of which have a strong Suffolk connection. The selected artists will be announced in June, with work exhibited in several galleries and spaces across Snape Maltings. Summer Contemporary is curated by Devi Singh (26 July – 31 August).

  • Spiritual Britten is curated by Paul Edmondson and explores the spiritual aspects of Britten’s life and music, looking at the defining moments and works that illustrate his motivations as a composer: his passions and the beliefs that shaped him and the works he created. Sacred music was a constant thread throughout Britten’s career. Though not devout, the Christian values and routines of his childhood shaped his approach to God and the music he composed. One of the earliest works he composed was Hymn to the Virgin, written at the age of 17, while among his most significant was the War Requiem (3 April – 2 November 2025, The Red House).

  • Darkness brings together items never before displayed, some very recent additions to the collection, and some that have only rarely seen the light of day (3 April – 2 November, The Red House). 

Full listings online at www.brittenpearsarts.org

Tickets for concerts at Summer at Snape go on general sale on 6 June at 10am.

Images available here.