Buxton’s International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival
Another summer season of Music Festivals if not already begun are drawing nearer and the two Buxton Festivals will be in full flight. The Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, now in its 32nd year had interesting content last summer and Buxton’s lovely Matcham theatre was filled nearly to capacity for most of the major events.
The National G&S Company brings back the popular opera titles each year. Their presentation is always fresh with new staging and characterisations. Even when some singers are returning it is likely that the work is in the hands of a new director and they give fresh interpretations. This year we see the return of conductors, James Hendry (with his continental and Opera North background) and John Andrews (with his extensive BBC background).
Under James Hendry, where the nuances of Sullivan’s music are well known, a new HMS Pinafore is being presented. This is directed by Sarah Helsby Hughes, an accomplished singer herself, who is returning to Buxton this year. Pinafore’s four performances promise to be a highlight.
John Andrew’s will be supporting a new production of The Mikado by Jeff Clarke. Last year’s Princess Ida by Jeff was a great success and it is likely that this will also become a memorable production. With KoKo, a cheap tailor, modeled on Versace (or Gaultier) we are likely to witness some truly comic situations.
Always great fun is the one-night presentations of university and other operatic societies, as well as opera companies. This year, amongst other groups, York, Birmingham and Oxford Universities will be attending and performing.
Amongst the daily talks, two afternoon events caught my eye: Matthew Siveter (7 August) and Bruce Graham (10 August). Both are masters at holding their audience’s attention so these will be good events.
The National Festival Orchestra, led by Sally Robinson, is always a highlight with their wide knowledge of Sullivan’s music and skilful playing. Sullivan’s music deserves the best musicians and at Buxton we have them.
Raymond J Walker
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