| Buxton Festival - Buxton | 21 May 2018 |
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Lucio SillaBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Fortunately the fine singing made up for the lack of imagination in the direction and set design |
 3 Aug 17 / Opera Journal |
Despite a stark production, quality singing contributes to Buxton’s successful Lucio Silla |
| 13 Jul 17 / Seen and Heard |
In true eighteenth century operatic fashion this presents a conflict between power and love |
| 12 Jul 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
more reviews [+]
For teenage kicks |
| 11 Jul 17 / Bachtrack |
Albert HerringBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | |
There was much to enjoy in this fabulously entertaining production of Britten's comic masterpiece |
| 27 Jul 17 / Opera Journal |
Buxton célèbre Britten |
| 26 Jul 17 / ConcertoNet (French) |
An orgiastic romp rich in character and fun at Buxton |
| 16 Jul 17 / Telegraph |
more reviews [+]
An irresitible Albert Herring |
| 14 Jul 17 / The Guardian |
Fresh peaches of temptation: Britten's Albert Herring at Buxton |
| 13 Jul 17 / Bachtrack |
The whole cast did a terrific job |
| 12 Jul 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Buxton’s Albert Herring brings out the humour and softens Britten’s harsh chords |
| 12 Jul 17 / Seen and Heard |
Class and character bring out the comedy in this beautifully observed production |
| 10 Jul 17 / Planet Hugill |
MacbethBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Nul ne saurait accuser le Buxton Festival de s’en tenir à une programmation confortable! |
| 27 Jul 17 / Anaclase |
Stephen Gadd and Kate Ladner both gave convincing performances as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth |
| 27 Jul 17 / Opera Journal |
Verdi s’impose dans la campagne anglaise |
| 25 Jul 17 / ConcertoNet (French) |
more reviews [+]
Raw, rough, and virile, unsubtle in colouring and emotion but ablaze with hotheaded energy |
| 14 Jul 17 / Telegraph |
A dark and sparse Buxton Macbeth redeemed by outstanding singing |
| 12 Jul 17 / Seen and Heard |
Elijah Moshinsy offers a minimal, darkly-lit, and very effective staging |
| 12 Jul 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
An exceptional central performance |
| 11 Jul 17 / The Stage |
Clamourous harbingers of blood and death |
| 11 Jul 17 / Bachtrack |
Verdi's original version of Macbeth in a rare staging which brings out the subtlety and complexity of the work |
| 10 Jul 17 / Planet Hugill |
Y TŵrBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Un nouvel opus d’un compositeur à suivre |
| 26 Jul 17 / Anaclase |
TamerlanoBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Cummings plays all the emotional turmoil of Tamerlano as a delicate question of manners and etiquette |
| 4 Aug 16 / Opera Journal |
A rare opportunity to hear Handel’s Tamerlano at Buxton |
| 14 Jul 16 / Seen and Heard |
Games of Thrones |
| 13 Jul 16 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
The challenges of Handel’s great tragedy |
| 13 Jul 16 / The Guardian |
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 |
| 4 Aug 16 / Opera Journal |
A well sung Bellini gets an unwelcome, if dramatic, update |
| 14 Jul 16 / Seen and Heard |
An assured staging of Bellini’s Romeo and Juliet opera |
| 13 Jul 16 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
The simple setting provided a fine background for the singers |
| 13 Jul 16 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Knives out in Verona: a fine I Capuleti e i Montecchi at Buxton Festival |
| 12 Jul 16 / Bachtrack |
Classic yet modern |
| 11 Jul 16 / Planet Hugill |
LeonoreBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | |
The singing was overall excellent |
| 4 Aug 16 / Opera Journal |
Fidelio reverts to its original form at Buxton Festival |
| 15 Jul 16 / Seen and Heard |
An unfamiliar but compelling version of Leonore |
| 13 Jul 16 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
A fine start to the Buxton Festival |
| 13 Jul 16 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
“Beethoven's what?” Leonore at Buxton Festival |
| 12 Jul 16 / Bachtrack |
Not just Fidelio-lite - the real Leonore at the Buxton Festival |
| 11 Jul 16 / Planet Hugill |
Buxton Festival at its best |
| 11 Jul 16 / Telegraph |
A refreshing change to see the original version |
| 10 Jul 16 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Der Goldene DracheBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
À cette première d’importance le public fait un accueil favorable |
| 1 Aug 16 / Anaclase |
The Golden Dragon is a witty Brechtian fable with a brilliant score |
| 20 Jul 16 / Telegraph |
Taut, twisted tale of troubled lives |
| 20 Jul 16 / The Guardian |
Lucia di LammermoorBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Stephen Barlow conducts with urgency and fluency, |
| 25 Jul 15 / Manchester Evening News |
Lucia di Lammermoor amongst the Mafiosi |
| 20 Jul 15 / Planet Hugill |
Gradually going flat |
| 16 Jul 15 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Lucia di Lammermoor is not an essential night at the opera |
| 16 Jul 15 / The Spectator |
What really made the evening was the dramatic singing and theatrical portrayal of Lucia by Elin Pritchard |
| 15 Jul 15 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Buxton production does its marital duty |
| 15 Jul 15 / The Guardian |
Wonderful singing in a passionate work of art |
| 15 Jul 15 / Buxton Advertiser |
LouiseBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Buxton Festival presents an operatic rarity: Charpentier’s Louise |
| 20 Jul 15 / Seen and Heard |
Terrific Louise from Madeleine Pierard in Gustave Charpentier's opera at the Buxton Festival |
| 18 Jul 15 / Bachtrack |
Tantalising and frustrating |
| 18 Jul 15 / Telegraph |
Giovanna d'ArcoBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Verdi's fascinating yet flawed and rarely performed Joan of Arc opera |
| 20 Jul 15 / Planet Hugill |
A thrilling Verdi rarity |
| 16 Jul 15 / The Spectator |
Buxton do a creditable job with one of Verdi’s less inspired early creations |
| 15 Jul 15 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Bravo Buxton |
| 15 Jul 15 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Dark and heavenly visions |
| 15 Jul 15 / Bachtrack |
The whole production was of a high standard |
| 15 Jul 15 / Matlock Mercury |
Flawed Verdi rarity a missable choice for festival |
| 13 Jul 15 / The Guardian |
Gloria - A Pig TaleBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Like one of the unfunny bits on Monty Python, weird does not necessarily make wonderful |
| 27 Jul 14 / Gloucestershire Echo |
This pig of an opera should have been sent to the slaughterhouse years ago |
| 26 Jul 14 / Bachtrack |
OtelloBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Rare outing for one of Rossini's major serious operas |
| 21 Jul 14 / Planet Hugill |
Rare Rossini gets a good outing at Buxton |
| 21 Jul 14 / Seen and Heard |
Orfeo ed EuridiceBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Intense, modern version of Gluck's 1762 Italian opera |
| 21 Jul 14 / Planet Hugill |
Much of the work’s emotional content comes from the pit |
| 20 Jul 14 / Gloucestershire Echo |
Stephen Medcalf’s staging underlines the simplicity of Gluck’s musico-dramatic schema |
| 19 Jul 14 / Financial Times (via Google) |
more reviews [+]
A great classical story gets an update at Buxton Festival |
| 17 Jul 14 / Seen and Heard |
A lovely rendering of Gluck’s music under the baton of Stuart Stratford |
| 16 Jul 14 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Michael Chance's Orfeo is patchy, but Barbara Bargnesi's wounded Euridice is entrancingly sung |
| 15 Jul 14 / The Guardian |
Love reigns in Buxton's Orfeo ed Euridice, but at what cost? |
| 14 Jul 14 / Bachtrack |
The JakobinBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Sparkling revival of Dvorak's village opera, reset in the Fascist era |
| 21 Jul 14 / Planet Hugill |
Dvorák’s rarely heard Jacobin is ideal festival fare for Buxton |
| 18 Jul 14 / Seen and Heard |
Dvořák’s unceasing generosity of melody elevates this rarely performed opera |
| 17 Jul 14 / Financial Times (via Google) |
more reviews [+]
A loving performance |
| 17 Jul 14 / Telegraph |
This musical gem performed with such a fine cast is well worth the trip to Buxton |
| 16 Jul 14 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Dvořák’s Jacobin returns from musical exile to delight Buxton |
| 14 Jul 14 / Bachtrack |
Rare and delightful revival of Dvořák's comedy |
| 14 Jul 14 / The Guardian |
Luci mie traditriciBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Though it might not be to all tastes, its appearance is somewhat overdue |
| 18 Jul 13 / The Guardian |
associated articles [+]
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? |
| 15 Jul 13 / The Observer |
What possessed anyone to think that two such insipid pieces merited revival |
| 11 Jul 13 / Telegraph |
A double bill of French fripperies |
| 9 Jul 13 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
Opera comique double bill at Buxton |
| 9 Jul 13 / Seen and Heard |
Paired rarities from Saint-Saëns and Gounod resurface in Derbyshire with an early Mozart |
| 9 Jul 13 / The Arts Desk |
La ColombeBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | |
The highlight is an aria about cooking |
| 15 Jul 13 / The Observer |
What possessed anyone to think that two such insipid pieces merited revival? |
| 11 Jul 13 / Telegraph |
Paired rarities from Saint-Saëns and Gounod resurface in Derbyshire with an early Mozart |
| 9 Jul 13 / The Arts Desk |
more reviews [+]
A double bill of French fripperies |
| 9 Jul 13 / The Guardian |
Opera comique double bill at Buxton |
| 9 Jul 13 / Seen and Heard |
La finta giardinieraBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Harry Fehr's Buxton staging makes a surprisingly strong case for this disregarded piece |
| 10 Jul 13 / The Guardian |
Paired rarities from Saint-Saëns and Gounod resurface in Derbyshire with an early Mozart |
| 9 Jul 13 / The Arts Desk |
Mozart’s pretend gardener becomes a soap opera |
| 9 Jul 13 / Seen and Heard |
L'OlimpiadeBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Obscure operas, Festival darlings |
| 18 Jul 12 / New York Times |
Kashchei the ImmortalBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Obscure operas, Festival darlings |
| 18 Jul 12 / New York Times |
Buxton unearths some operatic rarities |
| 15 Jul 12 / Independent on Sunday |
Buxton Festival enters the Stephen Barlow era |
| 12 Jul 12 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Buxton punching above its weight with long-forgotten operatic curios |
| 12 Jul 12 / Telegraph |
Both operas prove significant rediscoveries |
| 11 Jul 12 / The Stage |
Exhumed short operas by Sibelius and Rimsky-Korsakov are daringly linked |
| 11 Jul 12 / The Arts Desk |
Buxton's double bill brings together two rarities |
| 11 Jul 12 / The Guardian |
JephthaBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Obscure operas, Festival darlings |
| 18 Jul 12 / New York Times |
Buxton Festival enters the Stephen Barlow era |
| 12 Jul 12 / Seen and Heard |
A puzzlingly obscure piece of theatre |
| 10 Jul 12 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
Handel's affecting final oratorio could use some costumes and production |
| 10 Jul 12 / The Arts Desk |
IntermezzoBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Obscure operas, Festival darlings |
| 18 Jul 12 / New York Times |
Intermezzo is the hit of this delightfully unpretentious opera festival |
| 13 Jul 12 / Financial Times (via Google) |
Janis Kelly is outstanding as Christine |
| 12 Jul 12 / Telegraph |
more reviews [+]
Buxton Festival enters the Stephen Barlow era |
| 12 Jul 12 / Seen and Heard |
Janis Kelly really gets to the heart of the vulnerability beneath Christine's tantrums |
| 10 Jul 12 / The Guardian |
Buxton regulars will not be disappointed |
| 10 Jul 12 / The Stage |
Richard Strauss's comedy-with-feeling kicks off the 34th festival in fine style |
| 9 Jul 12 / The Arts Desk |
The Turn of the ScrewBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Northern Ireland Opera revisit and revivify Britten's claustrophobic Henry James adaptation |
| 17 Jul 12 / The Arts Desk |
The Marriage of FigaroBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Non-Mozart version sounds better than it looks in this first revival since 1799 |
| 16 Jul 12 / The Arts Desk |
The Maiden in the TowerBuxton FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Buxton unearths some operatic rarities |
| 15 Jul 12 / Independent on Sunday |
The Maiden in the Tower was effectively staged as a disturbing, post-Freudian nursery game |
| 12 Jul 12 / Seen and Heard |
Buxton Festival enters the Stephen Barlow era |
| 12 Jul 12 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Both operas prove significant rediscoveries |
| 11 Jul 12 / The Stage |
Exhumed short operas by Sibelius and Rimsky-Korsakov are daringly linked |
| 11 Jul 12 / The Arts Desk |
Buxton's double bill brings together two rarities |
| 11 Jul 12 / The Guardian |
| No more reviews |
Buxton Festival
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Performance schedule
Verdi
7 to 20 Jul 2018
Mozart
8 to 21 Jul 2018
Donizetti
9 to 15 Jul 2018
Brescianello
12 to 17 Jul 2018
News & Articles
| 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. |
| 7 Apr 2018 / Opera Now |
| 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. |
| 31 Jan 2017 / Opera Now |
| Buxton Festival 2015 |
For the 2015, the Buxton Festival is returning to its roots. |
| 22 Sep 2014 / Planet Hugill |
| Ex-finance manager, Paul Leighton, defrauds Buxton Opera House |
Ex-finance manager of Buxton Opera House, Paul Leighton, has been charged with stealing nearly £250,000 to fund a lavish lifestyle, including a season ticket for Manchester Utd, luxury cars and holidays. |
| 11 Jul 2014 / Broadway World |
| 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. |
| 16 Jul 2013 / The Guardian |
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