News and Blog

Adrian Kelly, BIF’s Artistic Director introduces ‘Shorts’, an innovative new project for 2025. Shorts is all about the future of opera. While opera remains a captivating experience for those who have already discovered it, there is no question that audiences are declining. And while many of the works that are most cherished by opera lovers … Continued

BIF is delighted to announce initial plans for 2025.  The festival will be held between 10 and 27 July 2025. Highlights include: Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet, conducted by Adrian Kelly with the Orchestra of Opera North Opera Zuid production of Mozart’s The Impresario Shorts – Four new and punchy 20-minute operas by composers Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, Jasper … Continued

British Jazz Artist Alan Barnes is back in Buxton this July, after his outstanding sell-out performance with Wynton Marsalis last year. In his second guest blog for BIF, Alan tells us what to expect from this year’s gig: My last blog, titled ‘Buxton, Wynton Marsalis and Me‘, ended with the band enjoying a celebratory and … Continued

New for 2024 – the Festival Hub will be open every day of the festival, 4 – 21 July, 10am – 4pm each day. We invite you to use the Hub as a meeting point, an information resource for the Festival, and a place to sit, read the Festival review,  chat to our team and … Continued

There’s just a few days to go until Buxton International Festival 2024 opens on Thursday, 4 July. We’re opening in style and are rolling out the red carpet for our opera premieres and to welcome Golda Schultz, Gary Matthewman, and Adrian Cox with his New Orleans Social Club to Buxton. Rehearsals are in full swing … Continued

From devolution debates to foreign policy and the quest for a greener future, BIF’s 2024 Book Festival features a number of prominent voices from across the political spectrum, with compelling narratives and bold visions. Here’s a round-up of talks that will captivate anyone interested in the current and future state of British politics:

Handel’s Il trionfo del tempo e del disinganno (The Triumph of Time and Truth) is one of five operas at this year’s Buxton  International Festival. This production sees Christian Curnyn, one of the UK’s leading conductors specialising in baroque repertoire, returning to Buxton with the award-winning Early Opera Company, following their triumphant Acis and Galatea in … Continued

As rehearsals for La tragédie de Carmen get underway, BIF caught up with mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan who’s taking on the title role.  Known for her dynamic stage presence and powerful vocals, Niamh shares her experiences and insights on bringing one of opera’s most iconic figures to life and why Peter Brook’s re-imaging of Bizet’s opera … Continued

British Jazz Artist Alan Barnes is back in Buxton this July, after his outstanding sell-out performance with Wynton Marsalis last year. Alan recollects the once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunity, and how it came about. Spring last year, my phone rings and it’s Neil Hughes. Neil and I go back a long way to the days when he … Continued

Soprano Golda Schultz is internationally recognised as one of today’s most talented and versatile artists.  She makes her Buxton debut this year, in one of the Festival’s most highly anticipated events.  BIF’s CEO Michael Williams remembers working with Golda in South Africa at the start of her career and reflects on her rise to fame.  … Continued

Jazz is considered one of the most influential genres of music. You can feel its rhythm and syncopation across R&B, rock n roll, disco, country, pop, and more. 30 April is International Jazz Day, the world’s largest celebration of jazz music. Established in 2011 by UNESCO and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, International Jazz Day 2024 … Continued

Buxton International Festival will soon be back in full swing for 2024 and this year we’re offering a plethora of interactive events that promise to immerse attendees in the world of music, opera, books, and local history. There’s a number of standout events that invite you to not just spectate, but actively participate: 1. Buxton … Continued