The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is to return to its “spiritual home” in Derbyshire, the 2023 event being staged at Buxton Opera House where it all began in 1994.
It had been held in Harrogate but in October 2022, because of increased costs, the festival announced it was moving back to Buxton.
Festival director Janet Smith said, "we’re very excited to return to Buxton and overwhelmed by the support following our announcement. We’ve already had an indication of a substantial number of visitors planning to attend from the USA and across Europe.
“Many have never visited Buxton before and we know they’ll love the theatre, the town and of course the wonderful festival programme. We want to raise the roof of the Opera House with fabulous, first-class singing and music in the summer.”
In 2023, the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will perform three new productions, The Yeomen of the Guard directed by Simon Butteriss who also directs The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado directed by Sarah Helsby Hughes. The National Festival Orchestra will accompany all performances.
Six companies will compete for the international champions trophy. There will be a festival youth production of The Pirates of Penzance and Opera North Youth Company will perform Trial by Jury.
The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival will run from Saturday 29 July until Saturday 12 August.