AN exhibition exploring the artistic relationship between Sidney Nolan and Benjamin Britten opens at The Sidney Nolan Trust near Presteigne on Wednesday, August 21.

Sidney was a regular visitor to the Aldeburgh Festival in its formative years and developed a strong relationship with Benjamin Britten, exhibiting paintings inspired by Britten’s works in the festival exhibitions.

In 1973, Faber Music Limited published a fine limited facsimile edition of the original score of Britten’s music for Berthold Brecht’s Children’s Crusade illustrated by Sidney Nolan.

On two occasions, Sir Sidney Nolan and Sir Benjamin Britten had discussed the prospect of a major collaboration - in 1963 they had considered a grand work for the opening of the Sydney Opera House that would have featured the words of the Australian author, Patrick White. Then in 1970, whilst visiting the Adelaide Festival, Britten travelled with Nolan into the Australian outback where they saw the ceremonial dances of young aboriginals.

The two men talked of a ballet based on the dancing that they had seen, exploring the harmony these people had with their land. On his return to England Sidney sketched out a synopsis and produced several artworks but again it was not to be.

The exhibition, which also looks at Sidney’s lifelong passion for music and the theatre, runs until Friday, August 30.

Visit sidneynolantrust.org for further details.