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A feast of opera, music and literature, set in the beautiful Peak District

 

BUXTON FESTIVAL 2012


Buxton Festival 2012 will run from 7 - 25 July

 

See the full 2012 opera programme on the Opera page

 

Strauss Intermezzo

 

Handel Jephtha

 

Double bill:

Sibelius The Maiden in the Tower

Rimsky-Korsakov Kashchei the Immortal

 

Plus invited operas from visiting companies:

Vivaldi L'Olimpiade
Production by La Serenissima

Portugal The Marriage of Figaro
Production by Bampton Classical Opera

Britten The Turn of the Screw

Production by Northern Ireland Opera

 

Handel Too Hot to Handel
Production by the Armonico Consort

 

Click here to visit the Opera page and find out more

 


 

NEWS

Boy needed for small speaking role in flagship opera

Buxton Festival are seeking a local boy to take to the stage in a small speaking role in Intermezzo, which will be performed at Buxton Opera House on July 7, 10, 13, 19, 25 at 7:15pm and on 22 at 4pm.

We're looking for a boy who looks approximately 8 years-old with an interest in acting, to join our friendly cast of professional singers. Experience in singing is not required, but this is a small speaking role, so we are looking for a youngster with acting ability, that can attend all of the performances and some daytime rehearsals between 28 June – 5 July. It's not a huge role, so won't require a great deal of learning, but we think the experience will be fun and interesting, and give a real insight into the world of professional opera.

Intermezzo is an autobiographical comedy of jealousy by Richard Strauss, one of the greatest of all opera composers. Leading director Stephen Unwin and the Festival's new Artistic Director conductor Stephen Barlow will lead a superb cast headed by the renowned Janis Kelly and Stephen Gadd.

Contact Glyn Foley on 01298 70395 or glyn@buxtonfestival.co.uk if you are interested.

 

2012 brochure front cover revealed!

The front cover image of Buxton Festival's 2012 brochure has been created by Swedish born, Derbyshire-based, mixed-media artist Ingrid Karlsson-Kemp.

The beautiful painting, which was specially commissioned for the Festival, was revealed at the Friends of Buxton Festival's AGM on Friday 27th Jan. During the meeting Ingrid also delivered a presentation to more than 50 members giving an insightful explanation of the creative thinking behind the piece.

Ingrid, who lives and works from her home-studio in Upper Dovedale moved to the region in 2003. Speaking of her involvement with the Festival Ingrid said: 'I was delighted and honoured when the organisers initially approached me.

'My work is generally inspired by personal experiences and this piece is no exception. My aim was to capture the magic of a Festival evening at Buxton's Opera House - which I think I have achieved."

Ingrid was also be demonstrating her painting techniques at an art demonstration at the Festival in July. Full details will be available in February.

For more information on Ingrid Karlsson-Kemp visit www.ingrid-karlsson-kemp.co.uk

 

Peak Photography Competition 2012

The Peak Photography Competition 2012 is now open. Our theme in this special Olympic year is 'Welcome to Britain'. Download the entry pack here for more information and to find out how to enter

 

Buxton Festival Chief Executive to retire

Buxton Festival’s Chief Executive, Glyn Foley, will retire in August 2012 after 14 successful years in post. The Festival’s Board of Trustees will now begin the recruitment process for a replacement for this pivotal role. Read more

 

Buxton Poetry Competition 2012 now open!

Buxton's fifth annual poetry competition is now open and this year's theme is Welcome to Britain.

Poets of all ages are welcome to enter – there are three categories: Open Poetry for poets aged 19 and over, Young People's Poetry for budding poets between 12 and 18, or Children's Poetry for those aged 11 and under. Read more

 

E-news Audience Survey 2011 results

Many thanks to all who replied to our e-news audience survey in August. The Festival team has read your comments and we are looking into how we can make improvements for next year.

We were delighted to discover that 97% of respondents rated Buxton Festival as excellent or good. You can read some of our findings here.

Festival and Friends Newsletter

Read the latest newsletter here


Buxton Festival wins silver at national tourism awards

Buxton Festival has won a prestigious silver prize in the 'Best Event' category at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. Read more

Festival receives increased funding from Arts Council England

Buxton Festival has survived Arts Council England's spending cuts, and has in fact secured increased funding for the next three years.

Chief executive, Glyn Foley, said: 'It was a great relief to receive the news that our funding from Arts Council England remains intact. It is a vital source of income for us, ensuring our ability to produce high quality opera and to continue to bring international talent to Buxton. We know ACE has had to make a 15% cut, so we are thrilled that they have been able to increase their investment in this area. We have great sympathy with those organisations which have not been so fortunate.' Read more


New Artistic Director for 2012-14

We are delighted to welcome Stephen Barlow as Artistic Director for the 2012-14 Festivals. Read more here.

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JOIN THE MAILING LIST

Keep up to date with developments by joining the e-mailing list to receive regular e-newsletters. To join the brochure mailing list call 01298 70395 or email Lee.

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ABOUT US

The Peak District hills host a friendly crowd of opera, music and literature lovers from all over the country during July’s Buxton Festival.

A morning literary series, afternoon concerts and rarely-performed opera in the evening offer a rich and unique cultural experience, attracting big names and a faithful audience to an historic and beautiful setting.

Buxton Festival is as good as an arts festival gets
The Independent

Competitively priced tickets offer an ideal opportunity to enjoy a broad range of events and particularly encourages young people to explore the arts without unreasonable expense.

Fine productions at good prices in a lovely setting – why isn't everyone at Buxton?
The Sunday Times

It is one of the only Festivals to specialise in producing rarely performed operas by major composers - each opera is staged uniquely for the Buxton audience and the intimate Opera House. In addition to the Festival's own productions several touring operas feature on the programme each summer.

Buxton is a very nice place to be, and with all this (opera, music and literature) on tap it approaches cultural heaven
Opera magazine

Our artistic policy: to produce high quality and rarely performed operas, complementing the work of other major opera companies and to involve the people of Buxton and the Peak District in the arts.

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CONTACT USThe Square, Buxton Festival office

Festival Office
3 The Square
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 6AZ

t: 01298 70395
f: 01298 72289

Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Administrator: Lee Barnes
Contact Lee for all things Friends and general enquiries.

Business & development officer: Claire Rhodes
For sponsorship, community events or to advertise in Festival literature contact Claire.

Marketing and media officer: Jenny Welch
For media, marketing and website enquiries contact Jenny.

Literary series manager: Louise Potter
Contact Louise for all enquiries about the literary series.

Accounts manager: Mary Jarvis
For all money-related enquiries contact Mary on Monday or Thursday morning before 1pm.

Chief Executive: Glyn Foley
Contact Glyn for all important queries, including programming.

Artistic Director: Stephen Barlow

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2011 national reviews


Maria di Rohan
'The most nail-biting of Buxton Festival productions. Mary Plazas has great presence in the title role...Maria's every moment is tracked by Plazas with dignity and great vocal eloquence.'
The Times

'Gripping stuff...' The Guardian

4 stars in the Guardian - read the review here
4 stars from The Times


Mignon

'Wendy Dawn Thompson gave the performance of her life. Ryan MacPherson's handsome Wilhelm had ringing top notes, while Gillian Keith profiled the man-eating Philine as Zerbinetta's alter ego. Andrew Greenwood shaped the score exquisitely. This is his last year as Buxton's artistic director: he couldn't go out in greater style.'
Financial Times

5 stars from the Financial Times - read the review here
4 stars from the Guardian - read the review here
4 stars from The Mail on Sunday


Saul
'Harry Christophers was the stylish conductor, presiding over the Orchestra of the Sixteen's lively playing and an accomplished line-up of solo singers, among whom Anne-Marie Gibbons (David) and Robert Murray (Jonathan) shone brightest... the piece's sublime conclusion proved very moving indeed.'
The Telegraph

4 stars from The Telegraph - read the review here
3
stars from The Times

Do you have a review you'd like to submit? We love to hear what our audiences think about Buxton Festival events. You can have your say by leaving a comment on our blog



 

ARCHIVE

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Buxton Festival brochure - click here

 

Mary Plazas in Roberto Devereux, 2007

THREE DECADES OF OPERA

1979
Lucia di Lammermoor - Donizetti
The Two Fiddlers - Maxwell Davies
1980
Hamlet - Thomas
Beatrice and Benedict - Berlioz
Cinderella - Maxwell Davies
1981
Il matrimonio segreto - Cimarosa...

Read more here...

 

 

 

Shirley Williams

A LITERARY SERIES OF DISTINCTION

Kate Adie
Tariq Ali
Beryl Bainbridge
George Baker
Joan Bakewell
Iain Banks
Julian Barnes
Louis de Bernières
General Sir Peter de la Billière

Read more here...

 

 

 

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PRESS QUOTES

'Of all the UK's summer opera venues, Buxton must be the most relaxing and the least pretentious.'
Financial Times

'Launching a series of eigtht operas, Buxton Festival is surely the most ambitious opera festival in the UK.'
The Independent

'The Peak District hills host a friendly cowd of opera, music and literature lovers from all over the country during July's Buxton Festival... a rich and unique cultural experience.'
Manchester Evening News

'Buxton Festival has made county-town opera up north every bit as good as country-house opera down south.'
The Daily Telegraph

 

 


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