Stars more used to singing in the world’s leading opera houses will soon be performing in a village hall near you as Buxton International Festival (BIF) takes a taste of its 40th anniversary programme on the road.
BIF is bringing the glitz and glamour of opera right to your doorstep in a rolling roadshow which will stop at venues in the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales with a grand finale in Buxton’s newly-restored Octagon.
“It’s a magical tour aimed at taking the mystery out of opera,” said Festival Chief Executive Michael Williams.
“So if you’ve never seen opera, now’s the chance to sample the excitement of an art form which across the rest of Europe is a way of life – and all for the price of a glass of prosecco.”
Venues include community halls, an arts centre and even a museum as the Festival takes it music to the people — all for just a fiver.
Musicians include members of the Royal Northern College of Music and the Northern Chamber Orchestra who will present excerpts from favourites such as Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals as well as accompanying members of the BIF opera company in arias selected form the 2019 programme.
“Opera is now more varied than ever and BIF celebrates this by staging a fiery world premiere, a renowned Russian romance, a dazzling rediscovery, and a popular unpretentious romp,” said Michael.