A Buxton International Festival Production
Step into the future of opera with Shorts, where four brand new compositions come to life in one evening.
Created from scratch, BIF has commissioned seven award-winning writers and composers to create four 20-minute operas. Expect an evening of engaging, original story-telling from artists whose credentials include the BBC, Opera North, Channel 4, Netflix and whose achievements include Ivor Novello and Sunday Times Playwright Awards. Each performance offers a new perspective on opera, bringing together compelling narratives and a diverse range of musical styles, which blend the traditional with the modern.
Disorderly House
1927, a private party in Fitzroy Square. Sensational dancer Bobby Britt entrances his guests with Salome’s Dance of the Seven Veils, but the entertainment crashes down when the police raid.
Composed by Jasper Dommett (Ivor Novello Nominee 2020), with libretto by Jessica Walker (Oper Leipzig, Wigmore Hall, Opera North, Royal Exchange Theatre).
Inevitable
It’s a countdown to the end of the world. But that’s someone else’s problem…Would you spend the rest of your life turning the crank, or are you only delaying the Inevitable?
Composed by Carmel Smickersgill (Nominee Ivor Novello Award 2020, Winner Rushworth Composition prize), with libretto by Josh Overton (Sunday Times Playwright Award Winner)
Tears Are Not Meant To Stay Inside
Tears Are Not Meant To Stay Inside is an ancestral ritual of healing and release. Nomvula feels displaced and invisible in her life. She goes to a Traditional Healer to cure her unsettled spirit.
Composed by Thanda Gumede (whose appearances include Opera North and the BBC Proms), with libretto by Zodwa Nyoni (writer for BBC, Channel 4, Netflix)
Life Gets Stretched
20 years in 20 minutes. A couple meet, fall in love, and marry. But life is long and people change, will their bond prove strong enough?
Composer and librettist Martin Green (winner Ivor Novello Award 2021, winner BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards)
Director Marcus Desando makes his Buxton International Festival debut having worked extensively in South Africa (directing credits include Dido and Aeneas, Carmen, La Bohème, and Rigoletto). Rebecca Meltzer returns to the Festival following her success with Mansfield Park in 2022, and with an impressive set of directing credits under her belt (Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera, Garsington Opera, Opera Holland Park, English Touring Opera, Welsh National Opera, amongst others). With designs by Elliot Squire (BIF’s La Canterina and The Boatswain’s Mate, 2024), these productions promise an evening of fresh creativity and inventive performances.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience new voices in opera.
Sung mainly in English, with surtitles.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Marcus Desando and Rebecca Meltzer Directors
Elliot Squire Designer
Alex Chisholm, Emma Jenkins & Sasha Milavic Davies Dramaturgs
Public booking opens at 10am on Tuesday 15 April 2025
Become a BIF Friend for Priority Booking, from just £36 per year
To book seats early, join the Friends of Buxton International Festival and become part of our ‘Festival Family.’
Benefits include:
- Priority booking. Friends of Buxton Festival members can book early, using the booking code they receive with their brochures, which will be landing on doorsteps at the beginning of March:
- Directors’ Circle, Benefactor, Gold Patron Tuesday, 18 March
- Patron Tuesday, 25 March
- Gold Friend Tuesday, 1 April
- Friend and Joint Friend Tuesday, 8 April
- An Overture Friends’ newsletter with exclusive interviews, stories and messages from the Festival team
- Opportunities to enjoy Friends’ events throughout the year, including meals, recitals and UK and international music holidays
- Recognition of your support in the Festival Souvenir Programme Book
- The knowledge that your support is helping us deliver another incredible festival!
Our six tiers of membership start from just £36 and have their own individual rewards. Click here for more information.
Under 35 year olds can join the Friends for free, through the Next Gen scheme, and get access to £10 tickets to the operas, musical, and music events and £5 tickets to BIF’s book events. Click here for more information.
