Buxton Festival's packed programme of opera, music and books

Much-anticipated opera performances include Beethoven’s Leonore, Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi and Handel’s Tamerlano.

The impressive opera programme also includes a concert performance of Vivaldi’s La Senna Festeggiante and a UK premiere by Music Theatre Wales of The Golden Dragon by Peter Eotvos.

This year’s festival, which runs from July 8 to July 24, also features 38 concerts and recitals from world-renowned musicians and singers including internationally celebrated pianists Stephen Kovacevic and Angela Hewitt, The Chilingirian Quartet, baritone Roderick Williams, tenor James Gilchrist, The Schubert Ensemble and The English Concert. The late-night concerts in the Pavilion Café also showcase the best in jazz, folk and world music.

This year’s book festival includes 43 talks by the UK’s best authors, covering topics from the railways to butterflies, trees to bible translations, the Loch Ness monster to Charlotte Bronte. Speakers include inspirational cook Sarah Raven, alternative comedy pioneer Alexei Sayle, broadcasters Melvyn Bragg and Joan Bakewell, politician Vince Cable and former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis.

Randall Shannon, the festival’s executive director, said: “We look forward to welcoming our valued local, national and increasingly international audience to one of the UK’s most enjoyable and stimulating arts festivals. We are particularly pleased to announce the partnership with Ecclesiastical Insurance and the University of Derby.”

For further details on the packed programme visit buxtonfestival.co.uk or call the festival team on 01298 70395.