This lecture “A Boy From Lowestoft – the Life and Works of Benjamin Britten”, illustrated with musical examples and video, will explore the marvellous work of this multifaceted composer. His showpiece, “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” has introduced generations of children to the sounds of a symphony orchestra. His opera “Peter Grimes” of 1945 changed the face of British opera forever. His towering War Requiem is a unique and impassioned plea for reconciliation. He strongly believed that music should serve the community – several works, “Noye’s Fludde” for example, were written for amateurs to perform in their local spaces.