The 2021 Buxton International Festival is going ahead!

We are delighted to announce details from the Opera Series and programme highlights for Buxton International Festival 2021. A full festival will go ahead between 8th and 25th July in our beautiful spa town, in the heart of the stunning Peak District.

This year’s programme includes:

• The premiere of Malcolm Arnold’s The Dancing Master, a co-production with conductor John Andrews (nominated for BBC Music Magazine’s 2021 Opera recording of the year).
• A co-production with the Early Opera Company of Handel’s Acis and Galatea, conducted by Christian Curnyn.
• A brand new BIF production of Pauline Viardot’s Opéra comique, Cendrillon.
• Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig, a Buxton International Festival Platform 3 Production.

And another exciting announcement to come soon…

In addition, the Festival is offering a musical for the first time, a co-production with Buxton Opera House of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, starring Janie Dee, directed by Paul Kerryson and conducted by Wyn Davies.

Click here for Performance Dates.

The music and book series programmes are equally as exciting with a diverse range of artists and speakers visiting Buxton over the festival period:

Music Series:

The Festival’s exceptional music series features some of the UK’s finest artists, including the violinist, Jennifer Pike, who will be 2021’s artist-in-residence. Further highlights include concerts from Dame Sarah Connolly, Sir John Tomlinson, The English Concert, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet and Natalie Clein.

Book Series:

The Festival’s books programme boasts some of the most exciting new publications of 2021. It offers events of cultural escapism with favourite “voices” from radio and television, and as ever, does not shy away from controversial subjects. Highlights include events on land reform, the leadership style of our British Prime Ministers, slave trade reparations, and the future of Brexit Britain.

Guests include:

• Broadcasters Andrew Marr, Iain Dale, Giles Fraser and Matthew Parris.
• Bestselling authors James Rebanks, Ben MacIntyre and Max Hastings.
• Historians including Margaret MacMillan and Neil Oliver.
• Journalists Polly Toynbee and David Walker.
• Scientists including palaeontologist Richard Fortey, archaeologist Rebecca Wragg Sykes.
• Law makers and protectors including policewoman Parm Sandhu and chief prosecutor, Nazir Afzal, and
• Bookseller Martin Latham.

The full Festival programme will be landing on your doormats and arriving in your inboxes at the beginning of April. Priority booking will open on 6 April.

See Priority Booking Dates.

It’s a great time to join the Friends of Buxton International Festival!

Benefits include:

• Priority booking.
• An Overture Friends’ newsletter with exclusive interviews, stories and messages from the Festival team.
• Opportunities to enjoy Friends’ events throughout the year, including meals, recitals and UK and international music holidays.
• Recognition of your support in the Festival Souvenir Programme Book.
• The knowledge that your support is helping us deliver another incredible festival.

Our six tiers of membership start from just £33 and have their own individual rewards.

Become a Friend of Buxton International Festival.