British composer Benjamin Britten did not write music for the “cultured-few.” He believed his works should be “listenable-to,” and declared, “I write music for human beings.”

Faculty artist Linda Mabbs is joined by UMD School of Music faculty and students in the first of several performances that commemorate the centennial of composer Benjamin Britten’s birth.

Mabbs, who knew Britten during the last year of his life, will share stories about the composer and perform his works for soprano, including On This Island and Cabaret Songs.