Buxton’s new and first-rate Ernani production by Jamie Manton provided captivating drama

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Buxton International Festival [3] – Verdi, Ernani: Soloists, BIF Chorus, Orchestra of Opera North / Adrian Kelly (conductor). Buxton International Festival, Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 10.7.2024. (MC)

Cast of Ernani with André Heyboer (centre) as Don Carlo © Genevieve Girling

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La tragédie de Carmen was a captivating evening of entertaining music theatre at Buxton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Bizet, La tragédie de Carmen (after Carmen by Bizet and Mérimée. Reimagined by Peter Brook using libretto by Jean-Claude Carrière and music score by Marius Constant): Soloists, Northern Chamber Orchestra / Iwan Davies (conductor). Buxton International Festival, Derbyshire, 9.7.2024. (MC)

Niamh O’Sullivan (Carmen) and Elgan Llŷr Thomas (Don José) © Genevieve Girling

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An uplifting, small-scale production of The Boatswain’s Mate at Buxton was a real treat

United KingdomUnited Kingdom Buxton International Festival 2024 [1] – Ethel Smyth, The Boatswain’s Mate: Soloists, Chorus and Instrumental Trio / Rebecca Warren (direction). Buxton International Festival, Pavilion Arts Centre, Derbyshire, 8.7.2024. (MC)

[l-r] Rebecca Warren (piano), Elizabeth Findon (Mrs Waters) and Theo Perry (Ned Travers) © Genevieve Girling

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Musical favourites at the 29th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

United KingdomUnited Kingdom The 29th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival [3] – The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan Concert: Simon Butteriss (narrator and baritone), Gaynor Keeble (mezzo-soprano), Phoebe Smith (soprano), Jack Roberts (tenor), Matthew Siveter (baritone), National Festival Orchestra / Murray Hipkin (conductor). Opera House, Buxton, 4.8.2023. (RJW)

The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan: (l-r) Jack Roberts, Phoebe Smith, Simon Butteriss, Gaynor Keeble and Matthew Siveter © Jane Stokes

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A rare trio of curtain raisers at the 29th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

United KingdomUnited Kingdom The 29th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival [2] – Sullivan’s Cox & Box, Trial by Jury, The ZooSoloists and Chorus of North West Productions, National Festival Orchestra / David Goulden (conductor). Opera House, Buxton, 3.8.2023. (RJW)

The Zoo: ‘No more we’ll part’ © Jane Stokes

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National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s sunny Cornwall with affection for the nobility

United KingdomUnited Kingdom The 29th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival [1] – Gilbert & Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance: Soloists and Chorus of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, National Festival Orchestra / Murray Hipkin (conductor). Opera House, Buxton, 2.8.2023. (RJW)

The Pirates of Penzance: ‘Go, ye heroes, go to glory’ © Jane Stokes

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