The Britten–Pears Foundation: history and aims

The Britten-Pears Foundation is a registered charity (295595) formed in 1986 when the estates of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears were reconstructed following the latter’s death. Its two principal aims are as follows:

• To safeguard the long-term continuation of the various cultural and charitable activities associated with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, and the promotion of public knowledge and appreciation of their musical works and writings and the principles of musical education and performance developed by them.
• To promote the arts in general, particularly music, by way of grants to other charities, or those whose objects are of charitable intent, for commissions, live performances and, occasionally, recordings and innovatory musical education projects. It also makes grants to local, educational, environmental and peace organisations.

The Foundation owns and finances the Britten–Pears Library at Aldeburgh. It also supports its sister organisation Aldeburgh Productions, through grants to the annual Aldeburgh Festival in June, the annual Britten Festival in the autumn and the Britten–Pears Young Artist Programme at Snape.

Snape Maltings.

In the past, the Foundation has also sponsored the Benjamin Britten International Competition for Composers as a means, in the words of Donald Mitchell, of ‘helping young composers, indeed creating whenever and wherever possible a high profile for the living composer’. Open to composers of all nationalities under the age of 35 the Competition prize was a commission to be performed at the Aldeburgh Festival the following year. The competition is currently not operating.

The Foundation’s annual income largely derives from the royalties arising from worldwide performances and broadcasts of Britten's works, and is channelled to the Foundation from its trading subsidiary, The Britten Estate, by gift aid.