Festival Salon with Ian Bradley

Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria: A Hidden History of Spas

From Romans to royalty and hypochondriacs to holiday-makers, natural water spas have been a common feature in society since the first century. In their heyday, Europe’s spas, including Buxton, were the main meeting places for aristocracy, politicians and cultural elites. They were the centres of political and diplomatic intrigue, and were fertile sources of artistic, literary and musical inspiration. The spas epitomised style and were renowned for their cosmopolitan atmosphere in a glittering whirl of balls, gambling and affairs, as much as for their healing waters.

Our musical accompaniment for this event will be a short programme of operetta with a spa connection.