I was asked a few days ago how Buxton Festival had evolved since its establishment in 1979.  On the spot, I could think of handful of differences from the early days, a time before my fairly long-term involvement between c 1992 and 2017 when the lengthy effects of open heart surgery encouraged me to resign from everything!  My answer to the question was inevitably inadequate.  However, I do have almost all of the programme books from those optimistic and ambitious days from 1979 up to the present day from which to draw information as well as a copy of Michael Kennedy’s book A Very British Festival charting the first 25 years and in which I get two mentions!  

Friends of Buxton Festival.

In 1980, a support organisation The Buxton Festival Society was established with the aspiration that branches would develop around the country, putting on fundraising events for members nationwide.   I joined, I think, in 1992 at a time the Southern Friends was the remaining “branch” still functioning.  The late Jim Robinson invited me (much to my utter amazement) to join the Committee of the Buxton Festival Society.  Actually, although feeling out of my depth in such illustrious company, I did have my uses, especially meeting and greeting several well-known personalities.  I enjoyed being on various duties at Society events as well as during the Festival itself, right the way up to 2017 when, after a heart attack, a “quaddie bypass op” was performed rather hastily as a result of some very clogged-up arteries. Whoops! That was a close one!   I very nearly became the late David Nevell!

By this time, much against my wishes, the Buxton Festival Society had reinvented itself as Friends of Buxton Festival.  I felt the new title somewhat clichéd.  Nevertheless, membership increased significantly and quickly, thus invalidating my disapproval.  (I hope the Ocean Liner Society doesn’t go down the same route!) 

The raison d’etre of the Buxton Festival remains the staging of rarely performed opera, and over the years, I have enjoyed numerous works, not just opera, that I would otherwise have never heard.  High summer (if there is such a thing in the U.K.) was the obvious time of year for such an annual event.  Buxton, 1,000 feet above sea level, and 53°N, does,  occasionally enjoy decent weather.  It has been known to snow in June (1975) and dry up a year later (the famous summer of 1976).

Up to 1979, the Opera House had become shabby, and although still in use, among other things as a cinema, its future was uncertain.  If I remember rightly, demolition was not out of the question.

The 1970s saw some kind of trend to restoring old theatres, and I remember the splendid refurbishment of the Palace Theatre almost opposite Manchester Oxford Road Station sometime in the 1970s.   Buxton Opera House was very thankfully restored very much to its 1903 specification with original patterns for the carpets manufactured by the same company that supplied the Opera House in 1903.  The wonderful gas-powered air circulation system in the very high ceiling was restored to its effective self.  High maintenance costs (and possible Health and Safety issues), however, encouraged the installation of air conditioning not so long ago. 

The fortunes of the Buxton Festival can be researched elsewhere. Apart from 2020, the dreaded covid-19 year, the Festival has occurred each year to ever popular acclaim.   From the early days, there were always recitals and other day-time and late evening events.  A literary festival introduced in the (I think) late 1990s is now a well established and an appreciated part of this summer event.  Now, not for the first time, Buxton Festival is reinvented as Buxton International Festival.  I think the term International probably can be justified.  In 2001, I went to see Ariadne Auf Naxos (R. Strauss) and Lulu (Alban Berg) at the New York Metropolitan Opera.  In the foyer, there was a selection of publicity for forthcoming events.  Buxton Festival was well represented!  Also, some of the performers are from overseas.

Jazz has become another established feature of the Buxton Festival and is staged quite frequently.    I do enjoy live jazz, not so much over the radio, and certainly not as much as classical music, which my parents introduced me to at a young age.

Correct me if I’m wrong, Buxton Festival staged the first public U.K  symphony concert in the Octagon following the pandemic.

Like a well run cruise-ship, Buxton Festival does stage something for almost everyone.  Pop and rock concerts are left to the likes of Glastonbury and even The Proms, who this year staged an evening of 70s disco and other soul and Motown music of the era. (At least, it filled the Albert Hall!)  I’m not sure that Sir Henry Wood would have approved!  I digress!

I might like to return to volunteering (for Buxton International Festival) in some form next year.  But I have maintained my membership (more recently as a Patron), and maybe I am among the oldest supporters.  Clogs have been popped over the years!

Despite the general economic climate, the Buxton Festival is as “packed” as ever with no fewer than five operas of which I have attended three.

Looking back.

23rd July 2024.

Although at home throughout the Festival, I could have seen far more than I went along to and missed some pretty wonderful events.  The final event had been sold out for months.  Nevertheless, a quick phone call to the Opera House secured me a seat in the stalls with decent legroom and excellent view of the stage.  “On Before” was probably the most different performance I can remember. 

Tuesday, 30th July, on a rare glorious summer’s day, drinking tea al fresco in Buxton’s Spring Gardens, after an excellent lunch with a friend from Church.  Tomorrow, I commence my travels, which I shall document in a new set of blogs.  But now, I finish off that which I have been writing.

Continued..

The dark stage setting was certainly a case of less is more with the most wonderful use of video and several genres of accompanying music, while Carlos Acosta, with partner, performed a ballet production which from what I gather has been touring the country since February.  The live choral finale exhibited singing the like of which seemed to excel even the finest vocals that i have enjoyed previously.  Apologies, however, for the lack of detail, of which I am all too aware.

Tomorrow, I travel to London.  On Thursday, I fly to Washington DC for a family wedding.  I hadn’t planned on whizzing around the United States (west of Chicago) this year, but I was determined to be at my great nephew’s wedding on Sunday.  I hate overnight flying, so I shall have to wait for the next boat home, which is already booked and paid for.  So yes, this isn’t a cruise/travel blog, but  the next few certainly will be.

While in North America (yep, I am visiting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls), I shall continue my sponsored walk for Christian Aid.  Donations can be made via my JustGiving page, right at the foot of Blog 125, or by contacting me.

Many thanks for reading, David, 16.01 hrs having enjoyed the rare Buxton sunshine.