A striking new 12-foot bronze statue of world-renowned composer Benjamin Britten has been unveiled in his hometown of Lowestoft.
The £120,000 artwork, titled Britten as a Boy, now stands in Lord Kitchener’s Garden on Kirkley Cliff, close to where Britten grew up. The sculpture, created by leading bronze artist Ian Rank-Broadley, depicts Britten as a child gazing out over the sea that inspired so much of his music.
The unveiling marked the culmination of an almost five-year community campaign to create a lasting tribute to Lowestoft’s most famous son. The project was led by broadcaster and author Zeb Soanes, who said the statue was a “gift to the town,” celebrating how Britten’s childhood in Lowestoft shaped his later success as a composer, conductor and pianist.
Composer Sir John Rutter, who performed for Britten on the 1963 War Requiem recording, unveiled the statue before a large local crowd — including members of Britten’s family and supporters of the project.
Children from St Mary’s Primary School performed a specially commissioned song, What Bliss is Home, written by Suffolk composer Ben Parry with lyrics by Zeb Soanes.
During the short ceremony, the statue was formally handed over to East Suffolk Council, represented by chairman Councillor Anthony Speca.
The unveiling came just days before what would have been Britten’s 112th birthday — marking a proud and historic moment for the town where his musical journey began.
Watch our video of the afternoon's event:
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