Harp Festival: Britten's Harp - A guided tour of Britten's harp writing in words and music

Britten's Harp: A Guided Tour explores Benjamin Britten's harp writing across his career, marking the 50th anniversary of his death. Curated and presented by Eleanor Medcalf, the session traces key works and collaborations - from early songs to the Ceremony of Carols, the Suite for Harp Op.

83 and later harp-and-tenor pieces - and discusses their musical and historical context. Attendees will hear selected performances and receive commentary on the stories behind the pieces and Britten's relationship with harpist Osian Ellis.

Performers listed for the event include Eleanor Medcalf (harp), Arwen Withey-Harrison (harp), Matilda Dawes (soprano), Emily Hopper (harp), Ellie Wood (harp) and Susan Gritton (soprano), with a programme of solo and vocal-harp repertoire drawn from Britten's output. The event is free and in-person, taking place in the Lecture Recital Room at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (Silk Street, Barbican, London EC2Y).

No tickets are required; a free digital programme is available via the Guildhall programmes site.