We’re under starter’s orders…

Things are really starting to move towards the 2010 Festival, as winter turns to spring, and July suddenly seems far from distant. Last week the Festival Brochure was launched with a gathering at the Lee Wood Hotel, heralding the opening of the general booking period. Dame Janet Smith, Glyn Foley and I introduced the programme to an audience of local worthies and press, Glyn particularly emphasising how much the Festival is largely self-supporting and yet brings huge benefits to the local economy, while I whipped up enthusiasm for this year’s offerings. The atmosphere was very positive, and the excellent wine and canapes afterwards (served on rose-petal-strewn tables – a lovely touch from Claire and Johanna!) put everyone in the right mood to go out and spread the good word. 

Although I have to say that the previous day’s meeting at the London Coliseum, which we refer to as the Model Showing, was even more interesting from my point-of-view. This is when the artistic teams for the Festival opera productions all get together for the first time, and the director and designer of each opera present their ideas to the conductor(s), John Bishop the lighting designer, myself, Glyn, the Production Manager, Wardrobe etc. They do this with the aid of a beautifully-constructed model of the set, and costume drawings, which we all hope will translate affordably into the real thing! I can confidently say that the designs for Luisa Miller and The Barber of Baghdad will both look very striking and beautiful when they are revealed on the stage of the Buxton Opera House, yet will look completely different from each other, which is just as it should be. This is the moment when I think to myself  ‘Ah, we’ve really started..’ and begin to get just a little excited…

So we seem to be set fair for 2010, with a great opera programme,  great casts, a really classy concert programme, and a packed and fascinating literary series. I’ll perhaps have the opportunity to discuss individual events in greater detail at a later date, but meanwhile send in those ticket applications – I should hate you to be disappointed!