Classical musician Anthony Albrecht was idly Googling “’beautiful views of Sussex,’ or something” when he first came upon the dramatic chalk shelves of the Seven Sisters, on the South Downs.

A pilgrimage to East Sussex soon followed for the Australian, whose partner, Pippa, was playing at the Glyndebourne Opera at the time.

In particular, Albrecht gravitated towards Cuckmere Haven, the scenic cliff-top vista in Seaford. It wasn’t long before he was envisioning an idyllic classical concert set in the cottages there.

The Lapwing Festival, named after the endangered bird sometimes spotted around the South Downs, is the fruition of this vision. It takes place this weekend.

“If you search for something like that online, you get a million pictures all of that location,” he says. “So I navigated my way there using Google maps. It’s pretty easy to find, actually. There are thousands of people all over the world who make that journey every year.”

He soon become involved with Cuckmere Haven SOS, a Sussex charity that aims to protect the landscape of the area from coastal erosion with an elaborate three-phase plan.

According to Albrecht, the Lapwing bird and the landscape are intrinsically linked in terms of both beauty and fragility.

“The lapwing represents the ephemeral state of this beloved place, having been reduced in numbers such that it is no longer frequently seen at the Haven. It has been given ‘red status’ by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.”

Albrecht studied music in Australia, Germany, and the esteemed Juilliard School for dance, drama and music in New York. He met Pippa in America, and the pair moved to London where Albrecht is now studying a research degree.

A self-confessed “massive vista fan” - and a man familiar with sweeping landscapes in his home country - Albrecht says finding Cuckmere Haven was a “relief” after living in the capital for the last 18 months.

“I have a relationship with the place beyond the festival,” he says. “The owner of the No. 5 coastguard cottage, where the festival is taking place, is a very close friend.” The house was built in 1822.

“Lapwing is a great way of introducing people to the place and building that community. I think perhaps the area is a bit of a mystery to people who have only seen pictures of it, so it’s exciting to give it a bit more exposure.”

The festival showcases some classical prodigies as well as some unusual instruments. Joseph Tawadros plays an Arabic string instrument called an oud, while Liam Byrne is a master of the viola da gamba - similar to a violin in appearance but with many unique technical nuances. John Crockatt is a violinist with the London Haydn Quartet, and Albrecht himself specialises in cello.

Tawadros’s Saturday evening performance has sold out, but Albrecht is considering adding another one at 2.30pm on the same day. Those who wish to attend can register their interest in a form on the festival website.

Albrecht says of his line-up: “The musicians I’ve invited to play are all exciting players at the top of their fields. They’re all friends and people I really admire.

“I’d love for the festival to become an annual thing, and have lots more like-minded artists getting involved. The music and location is a good combination, so I knew it would be an attractive proposition.”

With only 35 tickets on sale for each concert, availability is limited. The flipside of this small amount, though, is the intimate and communal atmosphere the cottage is sure to provide.

Guests are invited to take part in nature walks and a buffet lunch on Sunday featuring local food and wine.

As the cottage has no electricity, evening performances will be candle-lit, with a backing soundtrack of the “the waves, and, hopefully, the cry of the Lapwing bird.”

“We’re hoping people make friends at the festival and develop a lifelong connection to the cottages,” says Albrecht. “Ultimately we’re hoping that people support the charity, too.”

On this, the musician is keen to stress that the festival is non-profit. “We have to price accordingly, but I hope people understand that we’re supporting a charity and trying to account for the administration of the cottages.”

Visit: lapwingfestival.com for more information.

Lapwing Music Festival, No. 5 coastguard cottage, Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, Friday, 5, to Sunday 7, August. Individual concerts between £30-40, Sunday buffet £20, £115 for whole package.