Buxton Opera House

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Buxton Opera House is in The Square, Buxton, Derbyshire, England.

It was built in 1903 and designed by Frank Matcham, one of Britain's finest theatre architects. He also designed two famous London theatres: the London Palladium (1910) and the London Coliseum (1904).

The Opera House ran as a successful theatre, receiving touring companies until 1927, and also became the venue for an annual summer theatre festival from 1936 to 1942 in conjunction with the London-based Old Vic company.

In the intervening years it served as a cinema. But under the direction of the High Peak Borough Council, which became its owner, a complete renovation of the theatre took place between 1976 to 1979.

Since July 1979, the Opera House has been home to the Buxton Festival, which has developed into one of Britain's largest opera-based festivals. Typically, it includes a Handel opera (with conductors such as Harry Christophers) and other rarely-seen operas as well as more popular classics. Since 1994, The Opera House has also hosted the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

[edit] External link

• Buxton Opera House offical website