Britten as a Boy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Britten as a Boy is a statue of Benjamin Britten in Lowestoft, Suffolk, completed in 2025. It depicts Britten as a teenager looking out to the North Sea, at the age at which his musical talents were first discovered by Frank Bridge[1].
| Britten as a Boy | |
|---|---|
Britten as a Boy (2025) | |
 | |
| Artist | Ian Rank-Broadley |
| Year | 2025 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Benjamin Britten |
| Location | Lowestoft, Suffolk |
| 52°27′54.41″N 1°44′40.06″E | |
| Website | https://www.brittenasaboy.com/ |
It was sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley, who was chosen due to his excellent previous catalogue of sculpture in the medium of bronze[2].
The statue is situated at Lord Kitchener's Garden in the Kirkley Cliff area of South Lowestoft.[3] It is located close to his childhood home and the school which he had attended as a child. The pose is intended to evoke Britten looking out of his bedroom window, which inspired his work[4].
The campaign to fund the statue began in April 2022.[3] The cost of the statue and its installation was £120,000.[3]
It was unveiled on 10 November 2025 by English composer John Rutter.[5][3]
What Bliss is Home
A newly composed song "What Bliss is Home"[6], with music by composer Ben Parry and lyrics by Zeb Soanes, was performed at the unveiling ceremony.[3][5] Both composer and lyricist have a link to the county of Suffolk where Britten was born - Parry was born in Ipswich[7], and Soanes in Lowestoft.
