This popular event returns to further your enjoyment of the Festival. Hear in-depth introductions to four of this year’s BIF opera productions, from directors and other highly knowledgeable speakers.
The venue for Opera Discovery Day will take place in the Cavendish Suite, at the Palace Hotel. In view of the high demand anticipated for places, we recommend early booking.
Tickets are priced at £35. £10 tickets are available for BIF Next Gen Friends, please contact the office on info@buxtonfestival.co.uk to secure your place.
10.15am
Arrival with tea, coffee and biscuits.
10.30am (30 mins) THE IMPRESARIO
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
Premiered: 7 February 1786, in the grand orangery of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
Speaker: Christopher Gillett, Director
11.00am (30 mins) HAMLET
Ambroise Thomas (1811 – 1896)
Premiered: 9 March 1868 at the Paris Opera (Salle Le Peletier)
Speaker: Jack Furness, Director (via Zoom)
Ten minute intermission
11.40am (30 mins) SHORTS – Four innovative new operas by award-winning artists
New work commissioned by Buxton International Festival
To be premiered on 13 July 2025 in the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton
Speaker: Helen Goodman, Artistic Manager and Producer of Shorts, BIF
12.10pm (30 mins) TROUBLE IN TAHITI & LA VOIX HUMAINE
Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) and Francis Poulenc (1899 – 1963)
Trouble in Tahiti Premiered: 12 June 1952 at Brandeis University’s Festival of the Creative Arts in Massachusetts
La Voix Humaine Premiered: on 6 February 1959 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris
Speaker: Michael Williams, Chief Executive, BIF
PLEASE NOTE: We reserve the right to make alterations to the programme or speakers as necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.
