Enter the world of the literary salon

Literary salons may be new to the Buxton International Festival but these intimate gatherings, designed to both entertain and encourage the exchange of ideas, have been popular since the sixteenth century.

Salons traditionally took place under the roof of an inspiring host, often a patron of the arts and allowed guests to engage in discussion with acclaimed artists. Women were particularly instrumental in organising the events and famous hostesses have included Martha Washington, Gertrude Stein and Zora Neale Hurston.

This year we have created six of these special summer evening experiences, which will be held at the beautiful Moorcroft House. Each will offer an unforgettable blend of books, music and refreshment provided by our sponsor Kuro Gin.

Tue 9 July

Alan Powers – Enid Marx

Wed 10 July

Peter Moore – Samuel Johnson and the Art of Happiness together  Mark Tatlow on eighteenth century music that ‘touched and dissolved’ the audience

Fri 12 July

Adrian Kelly & Michael Williams – Prima la musica, dopo le parole (which is of greater importance the music or the words?) followed by Adrian Kelly on piano with BIF singers

Sat 13 July

Tom Service – Exploration of a conductor’s technique with live accompaniment

Wed 17 July

Anna Beer – Sounds and sweet airs: forgotten women of classical music with Adrian Kelly and Berrak Dyer playing piano works by Fanny Mendelssohn

Fri 19 Jul

Naoko Abe – Cherry Ingram: The Englishman Who Saved the Blossoms For Japan with a performance by a Japanese instrumentalist