Charles Court Opera return to the Festival to present their enchanting production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s sharp satire of power, privilege, and parliamentary democracy. Directed by Festival favourite, John Savournin, this witty and magical operetta tells a tale of forbidden love causing an absurdist fusion of two worlds – the magical fairies of Fairyland and…
The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company are back in Buxton with a revival of their highly acclaimed 2025 production of The Pirates of Penzance. “The very model of perfection!”, the Daily Mail said in its five star review. The Daily Mail hailed last year’s NGSOC production as “worthy tributes to two geniuses” – awarding…
The National Festival Orchestra is the heart and soul of every Festival performance at Buxton Opera House—and has been part of the Festival family since the very first event in 1994. Under the leadership of Sally Robinson, who has been with them from the start, the orchestra continues to deliver outstanding music, year after year.…
Conductor: The Mikado and The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan The Mikado wasn’t my first experience of conducting a Savoy Opera. That dubious distinction goes to Trial by Jury and The Yeomen of The Guard. It was, however, the first Gilbert collaboration I worked on, having had my eyes opened to Sullivan’s orchestral and melodic mastery through conducting The Tempest,…
Festival Musical Director and Conductor: The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore James Hendry is a leading young British conductor with a strong focus on opera. Raised in Kingston upon Hull, he was among the first students of the Yorkshire Young Musicians programme before studying piano and later répétiteur training at the Royal Northern College…
Director: SARAH HELSBY HUGHES National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company We are delighted to welcome back Sarah Helsby Hughes to direct the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore. A familiar and much-loved face at the Festival, Sarah will also perform in Concert on Wednesday 12 August, 2.30 pm at St John’s Church. Additionally,…
Director: JEFF CLARKE National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company When I first created the Opera della Luna Mikado, more years ago than I care to remember, it was following the success of our Parson’s Pirates and The Ghosts of Ruddigore. I don’t remember then any hoo-hah about political correctness or racial awareness, but I do remember that I definitely…
This annual highlight is for young people aged 9-18 who love performing. This year, the production will be Iolanthe, performed in the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton on Saturday 8 August at 2.30 pm. Rehearsals begin in Buxton on Saturday 1 August and run daily until the production. No previous experience is required – just bags…
Festival Adjudicator: Bruce Graham We are delighted to welcome Bruce Graham back to Buxton as the Festival Adjudicator. Bruce is a familiar face at the Festival and has performed with the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company for many years. He began singing professionally in the 1970s and joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, performing…
