A year-long festival in 2026 to celebrate the music of composer Benjamin Britten, fifty years since his death (4 December 1976), in which Artistic Director, singer and conductor John Hancorn shares his love of Britten’s music with his local community of Lewes, East Sussex. In 1976, one month after Britten died, John first met Britten’s partner and world class tenor, Peter Pears, on the singing courses at the Britten Pears School at Snape Maltings, Suffolk, and then subsequently performed with Pears in Bach and Schütz Passions. John has been hugely influenced throughout his career by both Britten and Pears.

Britten: 50 Years On will collaborate with like-minded musicians, singers and artists, and involve the local community in a festival of Britten’s music, films about Britten and talks from people who knew him.

Festival Dates:

Spring:    24-26 & 29 April 2026
Summer: 5 and 12 July 2026
Autumn: 11 & 19-22 November 2026
Winter:   12 December 2026