1948 Festival Opening Night
Steven Osborne at Snape Maltings Concert Hall
Christchurch Mansion
This year brings us the 75th year of The Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts. Founded in 1948 by composer Benjamin Britten, singer Peter Pears and librettist Eric Crozier, the festival was originally held at Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall and the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The cessation of production of malt for brewing in 1965 gave Britten an opportunity to convert Snape Maltings into a new, much larger venue for the Aldeburgh Festival and in 1967, Snape Maltings Concert Hall was opened by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Although it was destroyed by fire two years later, it re-opened in 1970 as a campus for Aldeburgh Music's year-round programme of musical education, performances, artistic development and the increasingly popular Aldeburgh Festival which continues annually with growing success.
This year brings us the 75th year of The Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts. Founded in 1948 by composer Benjamin Britten, singer Peter Pears and librettist Eric Crozier, the festival was originally held at Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall and the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The cessation of production of malt for brewing in 1965 gave Britten an opportunity to convert Snape Maltings into a new, much larger venue for the Aldeburgh Festival and in 1967, Snape Maltings Concert Hall was opened by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Although it was destroyed by fire two years later, it re-opened in 1970 as a campus for Aldeburgh Music's year-round programme of musical education, performances, artistic development and the increasingly popular Aldeburgh Festival which continues annually with growing success.
On our second visit to the Concert Hall we will be entertained by Steven Osborne, one of Britain’s most important musicians. Osborne will perform two masterpieces composed by Schubert in the last months of his life. The concert will also include three short pieces by Osborne’s fellow Scot Judith Weir: ‘Michael’s Strathspey’, ‘Fragile’ and ‘Chorale’.
Salthouse Harbour Hotel 4*
Due to its popularity with our members, we are returning to the 4-Star Salthouse Harbour Hotel situated on Ipswich’s vibrant harbour quayside with views across Neptune Marina. The modern bedrooms offer en-suite bathrooms (the Marina rooms have a separate walk-in shower), complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. All rooms have a large flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and 24 hour room service. There are lifts to all floors. The comfortable and spacious bar is open all day for coffee, tea, wines and spirits. From the Salthouse Harbour’s famous waterside restaurant ‘The Eaterie’, enjoy the view whilst savouring its deliciously different and inspired menu. The three course dinner every night includes two glasses of wine or soft drinks.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Friday 14th June
Arriving by door-to-door car at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Gerrards Cross, you will be greeted by your tour manager who will be with you throughout the holiday. Coffee or tea with pastries will be served before we board the coach. We will stop at Marygreen Manor Hotel in Brentwood, Essex for a light lunch before continuing our journey to Ipswich. On arrival in Ipswich, we visit the beautiful Tudor building, which is Christchurch Mansion. We have a guided tour of the Mansion taking in the history of the house, the story of the three families who once lived there and highlights some of the important items in the collection. There will be time after the tour to enjoy the formal and informal outside space, before we depart for the Salthouse Harbour Hotel. After check-in, we have some free time to relax, settle in and enjoy our surroundings before dinner.
Day 2 – Saturday 15th June
After breakfast, our professional tourist guide will meet us at the hotel for a slow paced, walking tour of Ipswich. Due to the centre of Ipswich being pedestrianised a walking tour allows us to the enjoy some of the Waterfront, and then a stroll up into the centre of town, past Wolsey's Statue and see many of the interesting buildings. The circular route will return to the hotel in time for a light lunch. There will be free time in the afternoon to relax before we then drive to Snape Maltings for an early dinner in The Plough Restaurant. After dinner, we cross to the concert hall to take our seats in the auditorium for ‘1948 Festival Opening Night’ with conductor Jessica Cottis and the Britten Sinfonia.
Day 3 – Sunday 16th June
Today, we will again be joined by John. He will lead our scenic tour exploring a small piece of South Devon, during which we will hear about the importance of the fascinating geological story and the influence it has had over landscape and communities. We will stop at The House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey for a visit. Here, at the foot of Dartmoor, within what was once a Pottery using local clay, is a fascinating combination of a superb museum interpreting the past local pottery industry, quality glass-blowing and its products. We will then enjoy the 1,000ft rise from lowland up on to Dartmoor, where the ancient, unspoiled moorland village of Widecombe in the Moor, appears as an oasis within the moor itself. We will stop for lunch at the Moorland Hotel at Haytor Vale, on the edge of the moor overlooking moorland. Afterwards, having descended from the moor, we travel to Buckfast Abbey where John will give a guided tour. We will end our visit with some refreshments, before the drive back to Paignton.
Day 4 – Monday 17th June
After a leisurely breakfast, your Tour Manager will assist with check-out. We will board the coach and begin our journey home, stopping for a two-course lunch at Marygreen Manor. Our journey will continue to the Crowne Plaza where light refreshments will be served before your door-to-door cars arrive.
Total Price of the Holiday: £1,675 per person
Deposit: £200
Balance due:
20th April 2024
Whats Included:
Room Upgrade: Upgrade to a Marina View Room for an extra £200
For more information or to book call
020 4568 3377
Cultural Breaks is a trading name of Advantage Travel Centres Limited, registered in England and Wales with registered number 04698963 Vat No. 680 7873 93 Head Office: C/O Regus, Eagle House, 167 City Road, London, EC1V 1AW