12 minute read
Cendrillon
Pauline Viardot (1821-1910)
A Buxton International Festival production ’When I want to do something, I do it in spite of water, fire, society, the whole world!’ said Pauline Viardot: the most famous Romantic heroine you’ve never heard of. A household name across Europe during the late 19th century she led an extraordinary life, but her star has unjustifiably faded. Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon is an elegant retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, though a little more light-hearted with a hapless father rather than an evil stepmother. From the Walt Disney version to Rossini’s La Cenerentola and Massenet’s Cendrillon it is a well-told tale, yet thanks to Viardot’s fascinating life, her version is among the most interesting. This miniature operetta pulls together many threads of 19th century Parisian musical life and has been described as ‘a retelling with Gallic wit, Italianate bel canto, and a quirkiness all her own’. Viardot was born in Paris into a renowned operatic family. Her father was Manuel García, the Spanish tenor for whom Rossini had written the role of Almaviva in The Barber of Seville, and her older sister was the celebrated soprano María Malibran. She herself was an acclaimed mezzosoprano and her social circle was a who’s who of 19th century European artistic society. She studied piano with Liszt, co-authored mazurkas with Chopin, sang Tristan and Isolde excerpts with Wagner in her living room, hosted Charles Dickens and Henry James as house guests, and shared insights with her best friend George Sand. An Opéra comique in three acts, sung in French with English surtitles, with libretto by the composer. BIF is proud to introduce the Young Artists for our 2021 Festival in their very own production of this charming and somewhat unappreciated chamber opera. Supported by The Stonehouse Foundation DATES & TIMES
Mon 12 July 4pm Fri 16 July 4pm Sat 24 July 2pm
VENUE
Pavilion Arts Centre
TICKETS
CREATIVE TEAM
Laura Attridge Director
The duration of the performance is 75 minutes. Full details on our website.
A perfect evening’s salon entertainment… melodies abound, vocal lines soar and plead, and the Cinderella tale is told with a smile!
Robert Levine Opera Rara
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Stephen Sondheim (b.1930)
A Buxton Opera House and Buxton International Festival production, with the Festival Orchestra Open your heart to A Little Night Music. In this bittersweet tale of romantic possibility, Stephen Sondheim brings his trademark wit and talent to intertwine opera with musical comedy. Taking place during a scandalous weekend in the Scandinavian countryside, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs between a group of frustrated lovers. After years of travelling, glamorous actress Desiree Armfeldt is reunited with her old flame, Fredrik Egerman, whose recent marriage to a young bride still remains unconsummated. Hoping to win Fredrik back, Desiree invites the couple to her mother’s secluded country estate. But when her married lover, Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm arrives unexpectedly with his wife, all plans are overturned. As the night unfolds, old passions are rekindled and fresh feelings catch all of the characters by surprise. Inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, A Little Night Music has enjoyed many West End and Broadway revivals since its original production in 1973. It features one of Sondheim’s most memorable scores including the poignant Send in the Clowns and the haunting Night Waltz. Directed by Paul Kerryson, winner of Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre at the 2014 UK Theatre Awards and Chief Executive of Buxton Opera House. Paul has directed many other musicals by Stephen Sondheim including Follies, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Pacific Overtures and Into the Woods. Thanks to members of the A Little Night Music Syndicate for their support.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Original orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick Suggested by a Film by Ingmar Bergman Originally Produced and Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited DATES & TIMES
Thurs 8 July 7.15pm Sat 10 July 7.15pm Thurs 15 July 2pm & 7.15pm Sat 24 July 2pm & 7.15pm
VENUE
Buxton Opera House
TICKETS
£25 – £65
CREATIVE TEAM
Wyn Davies Conductor Iwan Davies Musical Director Paul Kerryson Director Phil Daniels Designer Charles Cusick Smith Designer Ben Pickersgill Lighting Designer
CAST
Janie Dee Desiree Daniella Sicari Anne David Leonard Fredrik Timothy Walton The Count
The duration of the performance is 120 minutes, excluding interval. Full details on our website.
Co-production
Supported by
A deliciously wicked evening of witty lyrics and luscious waltzes.
Paul Kerryson Director and CEO, BOH
The perfect summer treat combining the best of Sondheim’s music and wonderful lyrics that will give every theatre-goer a wonderful evening of sheer delight.
Michael Williams CEO, BIF
THE ENCHANTED PIG
Jonathan Dove (b.1959)
A Buxton International Festival Platform 3 Production ’Princesses do not marry pigs. That’s not the way life should be.’ Princess Flora’s world is changed forever by a surprising turn of events. Our story follows three princesses who ignore the king’s request: do not enter the locked room containing the Book of Fate. Upon entering the room the princesses’ fates are sealed and, whilst Mab and Dot are set to marry kings, Flora must marry a pig! Of course, this pig is a handsome prince under a witch’s curse. Taking her fate into her own hands, Flora ventures to the ends of the earth to free him from the spell. This fantastical story takes us across the universe and shows us the good, oldfashioned power of love. Premiering at the Young Vic in 2006, The Enchanted Pig is a community opera. The story has roots in Romanian and Norwegian folk tales, and blends the worlds of opera, musical theatre, vaudeville, and musical comedy. It’s the perfect opera for families, and for those who are new to the opera world. This production is performed, directed and created entirely by young artists. They first performed The Enchanted Pig in February 2020 for Manchester University Music Society at the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall. Thanks to the support of BIF and their ‘Platform 3’ initiative, a unique opportunity has been created to showcase the work again. With special thanks to Manchester University Music Society, the University of Manchester and the staff at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama. Libretto by Alasdair Middleton. Sung in English. DATES & TIMES Sat 10 July 12.30pm Sat 17 July 2pm
VENUE Pavilion Arts Centre
TICKETS Adults: £35 Child/Student: £10 £10 Under 35s offer for Next Gen Friends of BIF, from 1 June. Proof of age required
CREATIVE TEAM Nick Bond Director/Co-Producer Katherine Stonham Conductor Ellie Klouda Designer Thomas Clough Co-Producer Max Macmillan Répétiteur
CAST Katherine Macaulay Flora Jonny Reynolds Pig Freya Parry Adelaide Verity Stroud Old Woman/Book of Fate Ellie Klouda Mab/Mrs Northwind Molly Sprouting Dot Thomas Clough King Hildebrand Harry Dichmont Sun/King of the East Grace Gammell Day Tom Green Moon Dexter Drown King of the West Dominic Carver Mr Northwind
The duration of the performance is 110 minutes, excluding interval. Full details on our website.
STRICTLY MUSICAL
A CHARITY GALA CONCERT
Weds 21 July 8pm with interval Buxton Opera House £15 – £30
For one night only, get the chance to enjoy songs from all your favourite musicals, performed by the talented cast members of the BIF Company of 2021. Buxton Opera House and Buxton International Festival proudly present a tribute to the music of Rogers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Join us for an unforgettable night of song and music from the maestros of musical theatre performed by the stars from the cast of A Little Night Music and the BIF Company. Hosted by celebrity guests and directed by Paul Kerryson, featuring Adrian Kelly, Wyn Davies and Iwan Davies at the grand piano. Proceeds will support the ongoing work of Buxton Opera House and Buxton International Festival.
BBC PHILHARMONIC
JENNIFER PIKE, VIOLIN
Details to be confirmed
The BBC Philharmonic is reimagining the orchestral experience for a new generation – challenging perceptions, championing innovation and taking a rich variety of classical music to the widest range of audiences. Through all its activities and endeavours, from its concerts and recordings to its technological innovations and dynamic learning programme, the BBC Philharmonic keeps one guiding ambition in mind – to bring life-changing music experiences to large and diverse audiences across the UK and around the world. After a triumphant first appearance at the 2019 Festival, the BBC Philharmonic returns to Buxton. Also returning is BIF’s Artist in Residence for 2021, Jennifer Pike. Full programme details to be announced on our website. Supported by
SONG AT SIX
Mon 12, Fri 16, Wed 21, Sat 24 July Bandstand at Pavilion Gardens FREE
Take a moment and enjoy a breath of fresh air along with music from talented young singers. Members of our Young Artists Programme will perform 15 minutes of al fresco song from 6pm at the Bandstand in the Pavilion Gardens. It is a long standing tradition, which is truly at the heart of Buxton International Festival, and what is more, it is free!
St John’s Church FREE donations welcome
Buxton Musical Society and the Buxton Madrigal singers, under the direction of Michael Williams MBE, present three special services in the atmospheric setting of St John’s Church.
Sun 11 July 11am – 12.15pm Buxton Madrigal Singers and Orchestra J Haydn Missa Brevis in F
Sun 18 July 11am – 12.30pm Buxton Musical Society and Orchestra W A Mozart Missa Brevis in B flat
Sun 25 July 11am – 12.30pm Buxton Madrigal Singers T L de Victoria Missa O Quam Gloriosum Est Regnum
OPERA TALKS FESTIVAL MASSES
Digital Series FREE
Our popular pre-opera talks are back, but with a difference. They will be ‘staged’ online before the Festival, via our YouTube channel, for this year only. Hear our creative team’s insights into the history, music and vision behind this year’s productions, from the comfort of your own home. Please check www.buxtonfestival.co.uk for details
MARGARET MACMILLAN
Fri 9 July 10am – 11am Pavilion Arts Centre £12
War: How Conflict Shaped Us War began as Homo sapiens started to organise into groups. As societies have changed and technologies have developed, we have fought wars differently, often over greater distances and for longer. In turn, war has brought huge changes to society, for better and worse. Economies, science, technology, medicine, culture: all are instrumental to war and have been shaped by it. Best-selling author Margaret MacMillan FBA CC CH is Emeritus Professor of International History, University of Oxford and Professor of History, University of Toronto and was 2018 Reith Lecturer.
This would make a great companion event with Samir Puri’s Great Imperial Hangover p.50
WILDLIFE WALK WITH MARK COCKER
FESTIVAL WALK
Fri 9 July 11.30am – 1pm Meet at the corner of Corbar Road and Lightwood Road £20 Also on Monday 12 July 3.30pm; Tuesday 20 July 11.30am Strictly limited to 20 people
Buxton in high summer is a wonderful place for wildlife and is surrounded by local woods and fields of flowers. Buxton-born author and naturalist Mark Cocker will take advantage of these seasonal riches to show visitors an array of plants, birds, insects, as well as the local conditions. Perhaps bring boots, binoculars and a brolly but, above all, a sense of wonder.
PELLÉAS ENSEMBLE
FLUTE, VIOLA AND HARP
Fri 9 July 12pm – 1pm St John’s Church £25
A Bax Elegiac Trio R Peate Three Diversions P Tchaikovsky arr. L Tunnicliffe Russian Dance from Act 3 of Swan Lake F Couperin La Françoise from Les Nations M Ravel arr. J Morlock Selections from Le Tombeau de Couperin Formed at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2011, Pelléas Ensemble have been praised for creating an immediate and intimate connection with their audiences. Playing with ‘verve and polish’ (The Times), they recently won the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award, and the 2017 Elias Fawcett Award for Outstanding Chamber Ensemble at the Royal Overseas League competition. They have appeared live on BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’ and have been selected to represent the Guildhall at the City of London Festival. The ensemble is dedicated to performing new music, premiering three new works in 2019, with two further commissions.
THE DANCING MASTER
Fri 9 July 7.15pm See p.20
IAIN DALE
Fri 9 July 4pm – 5pm Pavilion Arts Centre £12
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along: Shout Less. Listen More In an increasingly divided society, why have we all become so disrespectful and intolerant? Using experiences from his career across politics, bookselling, broadcasting and publishing, Iain Dale has written both a passionate memoir and an empathetic polemic about the state of public discourse in Britain today. Iain is optimistic about the fundamental decencies embedded in human nature and uses personal anecdotes to explain why we can look forward, in a post-Covid, post-Brexit world, to a better life both in personal and material terms. Can we emerge from tribalism and division to be more respectful to each other?
KATHRYN STOTT
PIANO
Fri 9 July 3pm – 4pm and 5.30pm – 6.30pm St John’s Church £25
Let’s Dance! B Bartók Romanian Folk Dances C Debussy La plus que lente S Barber Excursions M Ravel Valses Nobles et Sentimentales A Ginastera Three Argentinian Dances Pianist Kathryn Stott is known for her interpretations of English and French classical repertoire, contemporary classical music and the tango. Her programme for this concert combines three of these elements in a wonderful selection of pieces that will surely have your feet tapping in the aisles. Starting with Bartók’s popular Romanian Folk Dances, originally written for solo piano and later orchestrated by Barber himself, we move through French and neo-Romantic works to finish with a flourish of Argentinian Dances by Latin American composer Alberto Ginastera.
