Countdown to Buxton Festival

The festival will launch on Friday, July 10, with a concert from the English Chamber Orchestra in the Opera House.

Work by Tchaikovsky and Mozart will feature soprano Madeline Pierard and will be conducted by the festival’s artistic director Stephen Barlow.

More than 30 concerts will be staged during the festival. Audiences can experience performances from ensembles including the Halle Soloists, Schubert Ensemble, Fitzwilliam String Quartet, Elias String Quartet and Inner City Brass. Festival favourites La Serenissima will perform The Four Seasons featuring parts which were handwritten by Vivaldi’s father and housed in the Henry Watson Library, Manchester.

Verdi’s rarely performed opera Giovanna d’Arco, inspired by the life of Joan of Arc, will be staged at the Opera House on July 11, 14, 17, 21 and 24. Nationally renowned soprano Kate Ladner will perform in the lead role.

Literature lovers may wish to join outspoken and hilarious novelist Kathy Lette and her posse of Love Goddesses, Ronni Ancona, Maureen Lipman and Meera Syal on Sunday, July 19, in the Opera House for frank and freewheeling chat about their lives, loves, careers, pet peeves and passions.

Other speakers at the festival include Antonia Fraser, Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, William Waldegrave, Miriam Margolyes and Bill Oddie and best selling authors Helen Macdonald, Louis De Bernieres, Penny Junor and Henry Marsh.

The festival runs until July 26. For more details or to book tickets, visit www.buxtonfestival.co.uk or call 01298 72190.