Buxton Festival - Buxton | 23 April 2021 |

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Performance reviews
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Lucio Papirio DittatoreBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
What matters is that Caldera's music makes it work |
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An elegant presentation makes a strong case for Caldara’s neglected work |
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This production makes a compelling case for this virtually unknown opera |
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Three centuries after its first, and last, outing, an epic baroque opera fizzes into life in Buxton |
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Heroic rare outing for fiery Caldara opera |
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GeorgianaBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
The music has a wonderful musical and dramatic consistency |
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A 21st libretto with 18th century music is a winning combination |
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Scandalous duchess gets brilliant opera treatment at Buxton Festival |
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Celebratory pasticcio |
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Eugene OneginBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Eugene Onegin at Buxton Opera House shines on all fronts |
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Musically impassioned |
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Buxton Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary with Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin |
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AlziraBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 10 | ![]() |
Le très louable Buxton Festival continue son exploration des raretés oubliées par le répertoire |
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It's a very pleasant surprise then to discover that Alzira's poor reputation really isn't merited |
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Revival of a Verdi rarity that commands respect |
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Verdians will want to seize the opportunity to see this rarity |
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Buxton’s brave effort to stage British premiere of Verdi’s 1846 Alzira |
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Stephen Barlow gave this rumbustious Verdian drama full throttle |
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Buxton make a strong case for Verdi's unloved early opera |
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Verdi’s creation Alzira is an opera worth hearing |
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Rip-roaring rarity |
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Revolutionary jungle fever |
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IdomeneoBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() |
The singing is good all around, but little of it seems to express any real personality |
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Buxton’s singers take up the challenge of the C=considerable demands of Idomeneo |
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Mozart's classical opera in a ponderous production in Buxton's bijou opera house |
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This sensible production by Stephen Medcalf gives clarity to the story |
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Monsters of the mind |
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An uneven staging |
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Mozart's Greek tragedy walks a psychological tightrope - and occasionally slips |
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An Idomeneo driven by his own demons in this striking new production |
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A great big present
Stephen Medcalf on returning to Buxton to direct his favourite piece, Idomeneo.
Stephen Medcalf on returning to Buxton to direct his favourite piece, Idomeneo.
Lucio SillaBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Fortunately the fine singing made up for the lack of imagination in the direction and set design |
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Despite a stark production, quality singing contributes to Buxton’s successful Lucio Silla |
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In true eighteenth century operatic fashion this presents a conflict between power and love |
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For teenage kicks |
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Albert HerringBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() |
There was much to enjoy in this fabulously entertaining production of Britten's comic masterpiece |
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Buxton célèbre Britten |
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An orgiastic romp rich in character and fun at Buxton |
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An irresitible Albert Herring |
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Fresh peaches of temptation: Britten's Albert Herring at Buxton |
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The whole cast did a terrific job |
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Buxton’s Albert Herring brings out the humour and softens Britten’s harsh chords |
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Class and character bring out the comedy in this beautifully observed production |
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MacbethBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() |
Stephen Gadd and Kate Ladner both gave convincing performances as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth |
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Nul ne saurait accuser le Buxton Festival de s’en tenir à une programmation confortable! |
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Verdi s’impose dans la campagne anglaise |
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Raw, rough, and virile, unsubtle in colouring and emotion but ablaze with hotheaded energy |
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Elijah Moshinsy offers a minimal, darkly-lit, and very effective staging |
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A dark and sparse Buxton Macbeth redeemed by outstanding singing |
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Clamourous harbingers of blood and death |
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An exceptional central performance |
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Verdi's original version of Macbeth in a rare staging which brings out the subtlety and complexity of the work |
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Y TŵrBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
Un nouvel opus d’un compositeur à suivre |
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TamerlanoBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Cummings plays all the emotional turmoil of Tamerlano as a delicate question of manners and etiquette |
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A rare opportunity to hear Handel’s Tamerlano at Buxton |
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The challenges of Handel’s great tragedy |
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Games of Thrones |
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I Capuleti e I MontecchiBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
The set, costume design and direction all go some way to establishing the necessary tone for the artificiality of the narrative |
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A well sung Bellini gets an unwelcome, if dramatic, update |
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An assured staging of Bellini’s Romeo and Juliet opera |
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The simple setting provided a fine background for the singers |
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Knives out in Verona: a fine I Capuleti e i Montecchi at Buxton Festival |
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Classic yet modern |
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LeonoreBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() |
The singing was overall excellent |
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Fidelio reverts to its original form at Buxton Festival |
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An unfamiliar but compelling version of Leonore |
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A fine start to the Buxton Festival |
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“Beethoven's what?” Leonore at Buxton Festival |
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Buxton Festival at its best |
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Not just Fidelio-lite - the real Leonore at the Buxton Festival |
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A refreshing change to see the original version |
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Der Goldene DracheBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
À cette première d’importance le public fait un accueil favorable |
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Taut, twisted tale of troubled lives |
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The Golden Dragon is a witty Brechtian fable with a brilliant score |
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Lucia di LammermoorBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Stephen Barlow conducts with urgency and fluency, |
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Lucia di Lammermoor amongst the Mafiosi |
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Gradually going flat |
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Lucia di Lammermoor is not an essential night at the opera |
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Buxton production does its marital duty |
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Wonderful singing in a passionate work of art |
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What really made the evening was the dramatic singing and theatrical portrayal of Lucia by Elin Pritchard |
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LouiseBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Buxton Festival presents an operatic rarity: Charpentier’s Louise |
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Tantalising and frustrating |
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Terrific Louise from Madeleine Pierard in Gustave Charpentier's opera at the Buxton Festival |
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Giovanna d'ArcoBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Verdi's fascinating yet flawed and rarely performed Joan of Arc opera |
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A thrilling Verdi rarity |
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The whole production was of a high standard |
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Buxton do a creditable job with one of Verdi’s less inspired early creations |
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Dark and heavenly visions |
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Bravo Buxton |
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Flawed Verdi rarity a missable choice for festival |
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Gloria - A Pig TaleBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Like one of the unfunny bits on Monty Python, weird does not necessarily make wonderful |
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This pig of an opera should have been sent to the slaughterhouse years ago |
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OtelloBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Rare Rossini gets a good outing at Buxton |
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Rare outing for one of Rossini's major serious operas |
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Orfeo ed EuridiceBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Intense, modern version of Gluck's 1762 Italian opera |
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Much of the work’s emotional content comes from the pit |
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Stephen Medcalf’s staging underlines the simplicity of Gluck’s musico-dramatic schema |
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A great classical story gets an update at Buxton Festival |
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A lovely rendering of Gluck’s music under the baton of Stuart Stratford |
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Michael Chance's Orfeo is patchy, but Barbara Bargnesi's wounded Euridice is entrancingly sung |
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Love reigns in Buxton's Orfeo ed Euridice, but at what cost? |
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The JakobinBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Sparkling revival of Dvorak's village opera, reset in the Fascist era |
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Dvorák’s rarely heard Jacobin is ideal festival fare for Buxton |
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A loving performance |
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Dvořák’s unceasing generosity of melody elevates this rarely performed opera |
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This musical gem performed with such a fine cast is well worth the trip to Buxton |
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Rare and delightful revival of Dvořák's comedy |
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Dvořák’s Jacobin returns from musical exile to delight Buxton |
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Luci mie traditriciBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
Though it might not be to all tastes, its appearance is somewhat overdue |
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Salvatore Sciarrino
His stage works are performed and acclaimed throughout Europe, but this week's Buxton opera festival production is a UK first. Salvatore Sciarrino talks about how, and why, he composes.
His stage works are performed and acclaimed throughout Europe, but this week's Buxton opera festival production is a UK first. Salvatore Sciarrino talks about how, and why, he composes.
La Princesse JauneBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
Could the yellow princess really be a prince of another complexion altogether? |
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What possessed anyone to think that two such insipid pieces merited revival |
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Paired rarities from Saint-Saëns and Gounod resurface in Derbyshire with an early Mozart |
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Opera comique double bill at Buxton |
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A double bill of French fripperies |
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La ColombeBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
The highlight is an aria about cooking |
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What possessed anyone to think that two such insipid pieces merited revival? |
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Paired rarities from Saint-Saëns and Gounod resurface in Derbyshire with an early Mozart |
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more reviews [+]
Opera comique double bill at Buxton |
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A double bill of French fripperies |
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La finta giardinieraBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Harry Fehr's Buxton staging makes a surprisingly strong case for this disregarded piece |
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Paired rarities from Saint-Saëns and Gounod resurface in Derbyshire with an early Mozart |
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Mozart’s pretend gardener becomes a soap opera |
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L'OlimpiadeBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
Obscure operas, Festival darlings |
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Kashchei the ImmortalBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Obscure operas, Festival darlings |
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Buxton unearths some operatic rarities |
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Performance schedule
Sondheim
8 to 24 Jul 2021
Arnold
9 to 22 Jul 2021
Dove
10 to 17 Jul 2021
Wallen
11 to 17 Jul 2021
Handel
12 to 20 Jul 2021
Viardot
12 to 24 Jul 2021
News & Articles
Buxton International Opera wins UK Theatre Award |
Buxton International Opera was awarded the Achievement Award in Opera at the annual UK Theatre Awards, held at London’s Guildhall on Sunday 27 October 2019. |
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Buxton International Festival announces 2020 opera repertoire |
Next year’s festival will take place from 3 – 22 July 2020 and will feature five opera productions. |
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A great big present |
Stephen Medcalf on returning to Buxton to direct his favourite piece, Idomeneo. |
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Buxton’s Stephen Barlow steps down |
Stephen Barlow has announced that he will step down as artistic director of Buxton International Festival, after a seven-year tenure. |
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Buxton International Festival announces 2017 programme |
The festival’s opera series comprises new productions of Verdi’s Macbeth, Britten’s Albert Herring, Mozart’s Lucio Silla, and Guto Puw’s Y Twr. |
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