THE 25th Buxton Festival takes place in July. Who would have thought it, after years of financial ups and downs. But in the last few years it has blossomed and established itself as one of the leading events in the country. This year there will be two in-house opera productions. Donizetti's Maria Padilla was popular in the 19th century, with the tale of the lady secretly married to the Spanish King, but forced to appear as his mistress. The romantic drama has some of the composer's most brilliant and dramatic music, and festival chief Aidan Lang directs. While the Northern Chamber Orchestra plays Donizetti, a period instrument orchestra, The Symphony of Harmony and Invention will play for Handel's Semele, conducted by Harry Christophers and directed by Stephen Langridge. A story of lust and ambition amongst the Gods, we find here Jupiter who also has a wife Juno, but lures away Semele as his mistress, just as she is on the point of marriage. Tom Randle and Wirral-born soprano Helen Williams take the leads, and like many a Handel opera it has a "hit tune", Where'er you Walk. Both orchestras also appear in concert with sopranos Lynda Russell and Helen Williams. Visiting operas include Hansel and Gretel by Opera Femina, Gwyneth and the Green Knight by Music Theatre Wales and Bern-stein's marvellous operetta Candide from The Opera Group. Other operatic items include Fast Forward Figaro with Janis Kelly, Linda Kitchen and pianist Wyn Davies playing all the roles and Heroic Handel with Gwynne Howells introducing dramatic scenes from the operas performed by members of the ENO Jerwood Young Singers programme. A 25th anniversary Gala night looking back at past productions is hosted by Donald Maxwell. Recitalists include Yvonne Kenny and Ann Murray with Graham Johnson, Christopher Maltman singing Schubert's song cycle Winterreise, Rebecca Evans with Katerina Karneus, Tom Randle and Emma Kirkby with London Baroque. Schoenberg's chamber version of Mahler's 4th symphony will be played by Sinfonia Viva with Alwyn Mellor, who also sings the Ruckert Lieder. The Celios of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra make their first appearance at the Festival with soprano Merryn Gamba. The popular Bachianas Brasilleiras No 5 for soprano and cellos features in this programme. Among the instrumentalists are pianists Freddy Kempf and Bobby Chen and early music group Mediva. The Choir of the Seven Saints Church, from Bulgaria, will introduce the sound of Russian and Bulgarian orthodox chant to festival ears. EVENTS take place all day, including a roster of visiting authors comparing well with the famous Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival and late night cabaret from Donald Maxwell and Linda Ormiston's Music Box. Buxton Festival runs from July 5-20, and the programmes are ideal for a long day out or even a short stay. To misquote Candide, All's for the best in the best of all possible Festivals. For the programme leaflet ring 01298 70395, for tickets 0845 72190. | 
