Archive: This article describes 2023 events or announcements. For current information, see the organiser’s website.
Buxton International Festival announced its 2023 line-up for 6–23 July, including opera, jazz, music and books. The programme included the musical The Land of Might-Have-Been, operas La sonnambula, Orlando and Il re pastore, and guests including Wynton Marsalis, Tom Seals, Shez Raja, Nicola Benedetti, The King’s Singers, David Hare, Isabella Tree and Gary Younge.
BIF’s artistic director Adrian Kelly said: “Buxton International Festival has firmly established itself in the cultural calendar. It’s an unapologetically ambitious, creative and accessible festival that takes risks and entertains. 2023 will be no different – bold, brave and back in full technicolour.”
CEO Michael Williams said: “I don’t think there are many festivals as flexible and thrilling as Buxton. Last year saw us fill the opera house with audiences ready to hear the politicians and thinkers of the hour and that same house was filled with five-star opera and a critically acclaimed musical by evening. Our jazz programme was a triumph and this year it has bells on with Wynton Marsalis amongst our guests. We reach for the stars at Buxton, make no mistake.”
New musical takes on intriguing early life of Vera Brittain
Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre presented a new co-production in 2023, ‘The Land Of Might-Have-Been’. This bold new musical is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and is loosely based on incidents in the early life of Buxton’s pioneering feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain and the intriguing lives, loves and motivations of those closest to her.
The Land Of Might-Have-Been, with book and lyrics by Michael Williams, follows on from the success of another Buxton-inspired triumph, Williams’ award-winning opera, Georgiana. It was directed by Kimberley Sykes, conducted by Iwan Davies, designed by Nicky Shaw with the music of Ivor Novello, including such lovely songs as My Dearest Dear, Waltz of My Heart, My Life Belongs To you and Why Is There Ever Goodbye, arranged with additional composition by Iain Farrington.
Operas
The advertised 2023 opera programme included Bellini’s La sonnambula and Mozart’s Il re pastore, conducted by Adrian Kelly, and Handel’s Orlando, performed by Liberata Collective and Ensemble Hesperi and directed by Adrian Butterfield.
Popular Jazz Weekend packages back for 2023
The advertised Jazz Weekender included Wynton Marsalis at Buxton Opera House on 10 July 2023. Other advertised highlights included:
- Super Big Tramp Band, performing Supertramp songs with an 18-piece band and John Helliwell.
- Tom Seals and his sextet.
- Shez Raja and his band.
Books
The 2023 book programme included playwright Sir David Hare and columnist Polly Toynbee.
Festival Timeline
The announcement said priority booking for the musical and Jazz Weekender opened on 21 November 2022, with public booking for the wider programme on 4 April 2023.
Find out more on their website at buxtonfestival.co.uk
Buxton International Festival, 3 The Square, Buxton, SK17 6AZ
T: 01298 72190 Box Office / 01298 70395 Festival Office
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