July events: Buxton International Festival
Buxton, Derbyshire
Take your seats and enjoy a summer celebration of music, art, opera and literature on the edge of the scenic Peak District.
As well as bottling up water, the spa town of Buxton is also home to a three-week event that highlights culture from around the world. Among the highlights are fully staged opera performances produced by major composers, some of which are created especially for the festival or haven’t been seen live for years. If you want to see a rarity (or maybe a new classic), make sure you book in advance!
Besides opera, you can listen to classical music and take part in talks from well-known speakers on the subject of literature, art and politics. Notable speakers at this year's event include Gillian Moore (Artistic Director of London's Southbank Centre) and Jenny Waldman (Director of the 14-18 NOW arts programme).
Then there’s the venue: Buxton Opera House was designed by famous theatrical architect Frank Matcham, and this intimate Edwardian building brings a grand helping of visual beauty to the event, welcoming opera fans and newcomers alike.