Enlighten Accrington – AR Walking Trail

Location 4 - Sir Harrison Birtwistle

Harrison Birtwistle was born in Accrington on 15th July, 1934. As a child he learnt the clarinet and played in the local pantomime and the Accrington Cleff club. His reputation as a composer became worldwide, and among other accolades, was made a Knight Bachelor and Companion of Honour. The arches underneath the Accrington viaduct became a significant metaphor in his Opera The Mask of Orpheus.