About the Britten–Pears Foundation

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was the Suffolk schoolboy who became one of the great twentieth-century composers. His work is played somewhere around the world almost every day.

For much of his life Britten lived and worked in Aldeburgh. His former home, The Red House, has hardly changed since his time there. Britten, and his partner, Peter Pears, were hoarders and built up the most comprehensive archive of any composer anywhere.

This outstanding collection is still kept at The Red House. Musicians and researchers come from around the world to study Britten's music manuscripts and other documents.

Britten's story is also an important part of Suffolk's social history. Much of the composer's best-loved work was written for local audiences at the Aldeburgh Festival he founded and, in many cases, was also performed by local people.

The Britten-Pears Foundation invites you to find out more about this remarkable man and the music he created for Suffolk people.

See a selection of our concert programmes collection on Suffolk Heritage Direct.

Browse our online archive and library catalogues for information about our complete holdings.

Find out how to visit the archive in person. Learn more about Britten, his music, and the Red House from our website.