Eif.Co.Uk +44 (0) 131 473 2000 #Edintfest THANK YOU to OUR SUPPORTERS THANK YOU to OUR FUNDERS and PARTNERS

eif.co.uk +44 (0) 131 473 2000 #edintfest THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS AND PARTNERS

Principal Supporters Public Funders

Dunard Fund American Friends of the Edinburgh Edinburgh International Festival is supported through Léan Scully EIF Fund International Festival the PLACE programme, a partnership between James and Morag Anderson Edinburgh International Festival the Scottish Government – through Creative Scotland – the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Festivals Sir Ewan and Lady Brown Endowment Fund

Opening Event Partner Learning & Engagement Partner Festival Partners Benefactors Trusts and Corporate Donations Geoff and Mary Ball Richard and Catherine Burns Cruden Foundation Limited Lori A. Martin and Badenoch & Co. Joscelyn Fox Christopher L. Eisgruber The Calateria Trust Gavin and Kate Gemmell Flure Grossart The Castansa Trust Donald and Louise MacDonald Professor Ludmilla Jordanova Cullen Property Anne McFarlane Niall and Carol Lothian The Peter Diamand Trust Strategic Partners The Negaunee Foundation Bridget and John Macaskill The Evelyn Drysdale Charitable Trust The Pirie Rankin Charitable Trust Vivienne and Robin Menzies Edwin Fox Foundation Michael Shipley and Philip Rudge David Millar Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust Keith and Andrea Skeoch Keith and Lee Miller Miss K M Harbinson's Charitable Trust The Stevenston Charitable Trust Jerry Ozaniec The Inches Carr Trust Claire and Mark Urquhart Sarah and Spiro Phanos Jean and Roger Miller's Charitable Trust Brenda Rennie Penpont Charitable Trust Festival Partners George Ritchie Risk Charitable Fund Françoise Robertson The Sym Charitable Trust Jim and Isobel Stretton The Turtleton Charitable Trust Andrew and Becky Swanston Viewforth Trust Susie Thomson The West Hall Charitable Fund Mr Hedley G Wright Zachs-Adam Family

International Partners Official Suppliers Australian High Commission in the UK Austrian Cultural Forum London Culture Ireland High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Edinburgh Italian Institute of Culture and Italian Consulate General – Edinburgh Norwegian Consulate General, Edinburgh Québec Government Office in London

Media & Broadcast Partners Corporate Members

Arup Edinburgh International Festival Society is registered as a company in Scotland (No SC024766) and as a Scottish Charity (No SC004694). Registered Address: The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE. Edinburgh Napier University FÀILTE / WELCOME CONTENTS

Welcome to the 2021 Edinburgh International singer Lisa O'Neill joins Lau in a celebration 7 Aberdeen Standard Investments Festival. More than any other Festival, this of past and present musical bonds between Opening Event: Night Light year’s programme is an act of optimism. Scotland and Ireland and Damon Albarn We hope that in the following pages you find introduces audiences to his new ambient 9 Digital a thoughtful, reassuring and joyful route back project, The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure to live performance. the Stream Flows. While it is not yet safe to 11 Opera, Classical Music, Film, welcome large international companies, Theatre, Dance, Peformance, Music When considering what to plan for the 2021 artists such as Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, Festival, we were faced with many questions. South African soprano Golda Schultz and 38 Edinburgh Academy Junior School Should it exist only online? Should we organise Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov, will make our usual type of Festival? Or should we design special appearances. Some of Scotland’s best- 46 Old College Quad a different type of programme that prioritises loved artists including Alan Cumming, Nicola social distancing and outdoor settings? As you Benedetti and Hannah Lavery offer exciting 56 In The Tradition read on, you will see that we have chosen works alongside commissioned digital pieces the latter alongside a generous programme from Alice Ripoll (São Paulo), Omar Rajeh 60 Edinburgh Park of digital streams and broadcasts. (Beirut) and Gregory Maqoma (Soweto).

The majority of this programme takes place in A full Festival Chorus reunion and the live 66 Learning and Engagement covered outdoor auditoria with a few carefully participation of community groups and planned indoor events. Each project is the students from schools across Edinburgh 68 Digital & Online Performances result of detailed and innovative thinking will have to wait for another time. For now, 72 Accessible Performances from artists to Government officials in health, engagement remains mostly online, but planning and licensing. Our thanks to the we look forward to welcoming everyone 74 Booking Information Scottish Government, EventScotland and back to the world’s greatest stage when colleagues from the City of Edinburgh for it is safe to do so. their patience and support. 75 Health & Safety The 2021 programme is a collective effort In the midst of so many challenges, it has between artists, arts workers, local audiences, 76 Diary been a delight to hear the voice of the artist funders and supporters. We are not certain re-emerge. Much of this programme centres of what the coming months will bring. on the juxtaposition of the familiar and the We are, however, committed to working new. Errollyn Wallen weaves new composition together on a return to sharing in the joy through Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, of live performance.

Fergus Linehan Francesca Hegyi Festival Director Executive Director ABERDEEN STANDARD INVESTMENTS OPENING EVENT: NIGHT LIGHT

Compagnie Carabosse

6–8 Aug From 8pm We celebrate the opening of the 2021 Edinburgh International Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Festival with a night walk that engages all the senses: FREE tickets required the warmth, sound and scent of fire collide with the crisp air Visit eif.co.uk for full details of the event and how to book tickets. and an engrossing backdrop of traditional Scottish music. French artistic collective Compagnie Carabosse paint with

Sponsored by a palette of fire, illuminating our Festival City’s Botanic Garden with a bespoke creation for visitors to explore.

This welcome back to the International Festival is accompanied by a live soundtrack of tunes from Scotland and beyond, Supported by exploring a rich history of cultural exchange.

In collaboration with  Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh ‘A primal experience, a respectful celebration of the beauty and power of the elements: there is fire of course, but also air and water. It’s a truly beautiful sight to behold this holy trinity.’

Arts Hub on Fire Gardens at Adelaide Festival

6 THEATRE OPENING EVENT 7 DIGITAL PROGRAMME

Sharing the joy of discovery with viewers at home

Our digital programme offers audiences the opportunity to discover artists from this year's International Festival at home for free. The programme includes performance streams of Isata Kanneh-Mason's virtuosic concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the explosive sounds of Scottish folk trio Talisk and the invigorating stylings of the Zehetmair Quartet.

We are also hosting three digital-only performances, allowing audiences to journey through different cultures without the need for physical travel. Specially commissioned performance, Dancing in the Streets, features four dance films from around the world, created in response to performers’ experiences of the past year, while Chotto Xenos delves into the untold stories of colonial soldiers in the First World War. Lastly, Niqabi Ninja is a unique audio journey through the streets of Cairo, which Edinburgh audiences can experience whilst wandering the Scottish capital.

For more information go to p68 and visit eif.co.uk/athome

DIGITAL 9 ARIADNE AUF NAXOS

Richard Strauss Sir Andrew Davis / Louisa Muller Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Concert performance

25, 27, 29 Aug 7.30pm 2hrs 15mins approx. (no interval)

Edinburgh Academy It’s the party to end all parties. But two entertainments have Junior School £35–£40 been double-booked to mark the evening’s climax – a serious opera and a slapstick comedy. The star soprano is throwing Royal Scottish National Orchestra a tantrum, and the staff are hiding the chaos from the boss. Sir Andrew Davis Conductor There’s only one solution: perform both shows at the same time. Louisa Muller Staging

Cast includes Under conductor Sir Andrew Davis, the Royal Scottish Dorothea RÖschmann Ariadne National Orchestra gave unforgettable performances David Butt Philip Bacchus of two parts of Wagner’s Ring cycle at the International Brenda Rae Zerbinetta Festival in recent years. The same performers return with Catriona Morison Composer another sumptuous, late-Romantic opera: Richard Strauss’s Martin Gantner Music Master Sunnyboy Dladla Brighella comedy about high art and low art, life, love and fidelity. Serena Saenz Naiad Soraya Mafi Echo This is a brand new concert staging by brilliant young Jonathan McGovern Wigmaker director Louisa Muller. Among the specially selected Filipe Manu Officer cast are revered German soprano Dorothea Röschmann Thomas Quasthoff Major-Domo as the opera’s wronged heroine, Thomas Quasthoff

Strauss Ariadne auf Naxos as the house’s major-domo and prize-winning Scottish (1916 version) singer Catriona Morison as the Composer.

Sung in German with As an opera within an opera and as a sly commentary on English supertitles the struggles between high culture and low entertainment, Strauss’s comic creation was far ahead of its time. Bursting Supported by Dunard Fund with life, vigour and humour, it’s also an opera that shows James and Morag Anderson you can rediscover love in even the most unexpected places.

10 THEATRE OPERA 11 DIDO’S GHOST

Errollyn Wallen John Butt / Frederic Wake-Walker Dunedin Consort

A new opera incorporating Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

Concert performance

20–22 Aug 7.30pm 1hr 45mins approx. (no interval)

Edinburgh Academy Junior School £29 – £34 The story of Dido and Aeneas didn’t end with Dido’s death. Discover what happened next and how memories wield a power Dunedin Consort all of their own, as composer Errollyn Wallen continues the John Butt Conductor Frederic Wake-Walker Director tale, interweaving a full performance of Purcell’s great operatic tragedy within her own brilliant new opera. Golda Schultz Dido/Anna Matthew Brook Aeneas Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has written Nardus Williams Belinda pop- and jazz-influenced songs alongside contemporary Allison Cook Lavinia Henry Waddington Sorcerer classical music, and her reimagining of Parry’s Jerusalem was heard at last year’s Last Night of the Proms. Her arresting Errollyn Wallen Dido’s Ghost new opera, with a libretto by Wesley Stace, stars South African A new opera incorporating soprano Golda Schultz as Dido, and is staged by British director Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas Frederic Wake-Walker.

Sung in English with supertitles Under the leadership of scholar and Baroque music authority John Butt, the Dunedin Consort is Scotland’s own early music Co-commissioned by ensemble, renowned for bringing ancient sounds into the Edinburgh International Festival, Dunedin Consort and present day, and rediscovering familiar music in new and Mahogany Opera, surprising ways. the Barbican Centre, Buxton International Festival Dido’s Ghost reframes, illuminates and expands Purcell’s opera and Philharmonia Baroque Dido and Aeneas, which exists in its entirety as a flashback Orchestra & Chorale within Wallen’s new drama. Performed on period instruments, Dido’s Ghost bridges the gap between worlds, as past blurs into Supported by James and Morag Anderson present, and memory becomes emotion, in a new blending of Binks Trust ancient and modern.

12 THEATRE OPERA 13 FALSTAFF

Giuseppe Verdi Stuart Stratford / Sir David McVicar Scottish Opera

Incorrigible rake, freeloader, past-it playboy – Sir John Falstaff needs a ruse so that he can continue his life of excess. He decides to try his luck with two of Windsor’s upstanding 8, 10, 12, 14 Aug 7.15pm married women, writing them identical love letters in the hope 2hrs 20mins approx. (one interval) of seducing them – and of bagging some cash from their rich Festival Theatre husbands. But sly Alice Ford and shrewd Meg Page quickly spot £36 – £41 his scheme – and resolve to teach the drunken rogue a lesson he won’t quickly forget. Scottish Opera Stuart Stratford Conductor Adapted from Shakespeareʼs The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sir David McVicar Director & Designer Verdi’s final operaFalstaff is a fast-paced, life-affirming Lizzie Powell Lighting Designer comedy – a boisterous send-up of larger-than-life excess, Andrew George Choreographer but also an affectionate celebration of the irrepressibility of the human spirit. Cast includes Roland Wood Sir John Falstaff Scottish Opera returns to the International Festival with Jamie MacDougall Bardolfo Elizabeth Llewellyn Alice Ford a new production by Glasgow-born director Sir David McVicar, Sioned Gwen Davies Meg Page specially adapted from the outdoor presentation. His new Louise Winter Mistress Quickly staging gets to the bones of Falstaff, balancing the laugh-out- loud moments with a poignant tale of a childlike man who Verdi Falstaff has outlived his own time – full of experience and regret, Sung in English with but ultimately a glorious celebration of life itself. English supertitles Written when the composer was nearing 80, Falstaff is 12 & 14 Aug 7.15pm Verdi’s big belly laugh of a sign-off to the operatic world, with Supported by a quicksilver score that bubbles with wit and revelry – a riotous Sir Ewan and Lady Brown comedy that’s as wise as it is witty.

14 THEATRE OPERA 15 NICOLA BENEDETTI IN RESIDENCE

This year’s International Festival resident artist, Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, is one of the world’s most sought-after violinists of her generation. With a repertoire stretching from the Baroque to contemporary music. she combines her wide musical range with her passion for music education in three unique concerts throughout the Festival.

The Soldier’s Tale

The Story of the Violin Nicola Benedetti Violin Nicholas Bayley Double bass

Maximiliano MartÍn Clarinet Benedetti Baroque Orchestra Nicola Benedetti Violin Ursula Leveaux Bassoon Programme includes Philip Cobb Cornet Nicola Benedetti Director / Violin Biber Passacaglia Peter Moore Trombone Bach Chaconne Louise Goodwin Percussion Programme includes Paganini Caprices 1 & 24 Geminiani Concerto Grosso in D minor ‘La Folia’ Stravinsky The Soldier’s Tale Ysaÿe Sonata No 3 Vivaldi Concerto in D major RV211 Vivaldi Concerto in B minor RV386 Vivaldi ‘Summer’ from The Four Seasons

A Faustian pact with the Devil and a charmed Nicola Benedetti puts the violin front and violin with uncanny powers over all who hear centre in this concert as she charts the history it. Benedetti’s final performances as resident Nicola Benedetti begins her three-concert of this remarkable instrument. She begins artist presents Stravinsky’s darkly witty International Festival residency with with the spiritual symbolism of early Baroque The Soldier’s Tale, a unique mix of theatre and a concert revealing the multifaceted musical composer Heinrich Biber and the richness music, in which she’s joined by a specially creations of Vivaldi. She is joined by the of Bach’s monumental Chaconne, taking in selected ensemble of musicians and actors. Benedetti Baroque Orchestra of specially legendary Italian violinist Paganini, before selected period-instrument players. pushing her instrument in entirely new directions with two new pieces from today. Performed in English with supertitles

Supported by Binks Trust Supported by Claire and Mark Urquhart Supported by Geoff and Mary Ball

16 CLASSICAL MUSIC CLASSICAL MUSIC 17 CHINEKE! CHAMBER LONDON SYMPHONY ENSEMBLE ORCHESTRA

Vaughan Williams Piano Quintet in C minor Coleridge-Taylor Nonet in F minor Sir Simon Rattle Conductor

Ibert Divertissement Chineke! Chamber Ensemble provides Martinů Jazz Suite crucial opportunities for Black and Minority Strauss Le Bourgeois gentilhomme Ethnic classical musicians. The Ensemble performs the richly lyrical Nonet by British composer Coleridge-Taylor, alongside Vaughan Williams’s Piano Quintet. Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony 16 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad Orchestra together form one of the UK’s 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 most esteemed musical partnerships. Supported by Professor Ludmilla Jordanova The LSO stands among the world’s truly great orchestras, while Rattle has long been revered for his pioneering vision of music, his championing of little-known works and the CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA power and spontaneity of his performances. & WILLIAM EDDINS Despite their serious credentials, musical jokes are high on conductor and orchestra’s agenda at their International Festival concert. William Eddins Conductor Simone Ibbett-Brown Staging After all, who couldn’t do with some humour to lift the spirits? Andrea Baker Mezzo soprano In his riotous Divertissement, Ibert’s sole Ayanna Witter-Johnson New Work World Premiere intention was to put a smile on your face, Judith Weir woman.life.song with its nose-thumbing, mickey-taking pranks and devil-may-care tomfoolery. Strauss Following the Chineke! Chamber Ensemble’s might be more sober in the incidental music performance on 16 August, the larger forces he wrote for Molière’s satirical Le Bourgeois of the Chineke! Orchestra assemble under US gentilhomme, though it reaches its comic conductor William Eddins for Judith Weir’s conclusion in a lavish musical feast that quotes remarkable orchestral song cycle on all aspects classics from across the repertoire. of womanhood, using texts by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Clarissa Pinkola Estés. 19 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm Sung in English with supertitles Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 17 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 10mins approx | No interval £29 – £34

Supported by Susie Thomson

18CHINEKE! THEATRE CHAMBER ENSEMBLE CLASSICAL MUSIC 19 LAMENT FOR HINDU TIMES SHEKU BAYOH Jaimini Jethwa Writer Caitlin Skinner Director

Hindu gods Vishnu and Brahma incarnate National Theatre of Scotland as two local wide boys in Dundee. They’re

Hannah Lavery Writer & Director here to save an Indian woman called Lakhi, Kirsty Currie Designer AKA Lakshmi. She’s in deep trouble. Beldina Odenyo Composer & Musician She’s forgotten that she’s a goddess. Cast includes Can the gods help her? Can they save the Earth? Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther, Courtney Stoddart And find the elixir of life?

This rehearsed reading is presented by Dundee Rep Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Pitlochry Festival ʻNo problem here pal. None at all.ʼ Theatre in association with Stellar Quines In the early hours of the morning, 31 year-old Theatre Company. Sheku Bayoh set out to walk home from his Contains strong language and adult themes friend’s place after watching a boxing match. Rehearsed reading 20 Aug 7.30pm Just hours later, he had lost his life in police 21 Aug 2.30pm & 7.30pm | The Lyceum custody. Lament for Sheku Bayoh is a poetic 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £11 expression of grief for the human behind the headlines and a non-apologetic reflection 21 Aug 7.30pm

on racism in Scotland today. Made possible through the PLACE programme

Lament for Sheku Bayou inspires activities for schools as part of our year-round commitment to communities across Scotland. Find out more at eif.co.uk/L&E YOU BURY ME

Contains strong language and descriptions Ahlam Writer of brutality and racial violence Katie Posner Director

This is a story about young people discovering 25–28 Aug 7.30pm 26, 28 Aug 2.30pm | The Lyceum their own bodies and one anotherʼs. Bodies that 1hr 30mins approx. | No interval | £22 are violated and brutalised by the State. Bodies 25 Aug 7.30pm that make history. Winner of the inaugural Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2020, You Bury 28 Aug 2.30pm Me is about a generation fighting to live and Co-produced by Edinburgh International Festival, National Theatre of Scotland and love freely in post-Arab Spring Cairo. This Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh rehearsed reading is presented by Paines Plough, Ellie Keel Productions and 45North. Made possible through the PLACE programme Rehearsed reading 13, 14 Aug 7.30pm 14 Aug 2.30pm The Lyceum | 1hr 30mins approx | No interval | £11

14 Aug 7.30pm

Made possible through the PLACE programme

20LAMENT CLASSICAL FOR SHEKU MUSIC BAYOH THEATRE 21 DANCING IN THE STREETS

Gregory Maqoma Omar Rajeh Alice Ripoll Janice Parker

20 Aug 5pm, 21 Aug 11am Gregory Maqoma 20 Aug 1pm, 21 Aug 3pm Janice Parker 20 Aug 11am, 21 Aug 5pm Omar Rajeh When the world paused, our relationship with the spaces 20 Aug 3pm, 21 Aug 1pm around us changed. Confined to our homes, those brief Alice Ripoll excursions out into our surroundings provided a powerful and 1hr approx. (no interval) welcome sense of freedom and an opportunity to see things in a new light. You might have noticed your relationship with Dance Base your city changing, enriched by the new appreciation of truly £11 looking. This was a shared phenomenon. Choreographers Gregory Maqoma Dancing in the Streets is a series of films from the streets of Janice Parker cities around the world. Edinburgh International Festival Omar Rajeh has commissioned four of the world’s most acclaimed Alice Ripoll choreographers, Alice Ripoll from São Paulo, Omar Rajeh from Available to be streamed from Beirut, Gregory Maqoma from Soweto and Janice Parker from eif.co.uk Edinburgh, to create short films with their dancers, responding to the past year and reflecting on their relationship with their Made possible through home cities. the PLACE programme

Research & Development Join each choreographer as they present their film supported by the British Council for the very first time.

22GREGORY THEATRE MAQOMA DANCE 23 CHOTTO XENOS NIQABI NINJA BY SARA SHAARAWI

A Work for Families Independent Arts Projects Akram Khan Company Sara Shaarawi Writer Catrin Evans Director

Dance film

Akram Khan Choreographer Combining street artwork, audio-story Sue Buckmaster Director & Adaptation performance and a walk through your city, Niqabi Ninja is a graphic-novel style revenge story written in reaction to the 2012–2014 mob sexual assaults Inspired by Akram Khan’s solo piece XENOS, in Tahrir Square, Cairo. Chotto Xenos is a cinematic journey exploring Intimate, visceral and pulsating with the often forgotten and untold stories of a soundtrack to inspire your own resistance First World War colonial soldiers. Captured against gendered and state violence, this is from the stage show, this tender yet epic film a fearless, darkly comic reflection on the probes profound issues relevant for young lengths Hana will go to, to keep herself and audience members. other women safe. With direction by Sue Buckmaster (who directed Chotto Desh) in collaboration with An intimate performance to be experienced video artist Maxime Dos and a powerful in pairs or small groups. performance of Khan’s choreography by Presented simultaneously in five locations Kennedy Junior Muntanga, the film features across Scotland, this is a collective experience lighting by Guy Hoare, visuals by Lucy Cash, offering the space to think about what it means set design by Ingrid Hu, costumes by Kimie to walk in public without fear. Nakano and a stirring original score by Domenico Angarano. 12–28 August Hosted in Edinburgh by The Lyceum, Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX Chotto Xenos inspires activities for schools as part of our year-round commitment to communities across Full details can be found at NiqabiNinja.net Scotland. Find out more at eif.co.uk/L&E Book tickets at lyceum.org.uk

Streaming 14–15 Aug via eif.co.uk 50mins approx. | FREE and ticketed

Co-produced by Edinburgh International Festival and Birmingham International Dance Festival

Made possible through the PLACE programme

24CHOTTO THEATRE XENOS DANCE | PERFORMANCE 25 ROYAL SCOTTISH A GRAND NIGHT NATIONAL ORCHESTRA FOR SINGING

& VALERY GERGIEV Edinburgh Festival Ensemble Wayne Marshall Music Director Kim Criswell Staging

Valery Gergiev Conductor Danielle de Niese Lynne Kim Criswell Victoria Daniil Trifonov Piano Anna-Jane Casey Alyson Christopher Hart Trumpet Damian Humbley Jason Richard Morrison Martin Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings Shostakovich Piano Concerto No 1 Rodgers & Hammersteinʼs A Grand Night for Singing Stravinsky Apollon musagète Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Musical Arrangements by Fred Wells Orchestration by Michael Gibson & Jonathan Tunick Russian powerhouse conductor Valery Conceived by Walter Bobbie Gergiev and his compatriot, fiery pianist Daniil Trifonov, both regular and much-loved visitors to the International Festival, join All the glitz, glamour and unforgettable songs the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein a glorious concert of heartfelt melody and musicals – but like you’ve never heard them mischievous humour: the fun and frolics of before. This dazzling staged musical revue Shostakovich’s youthful First Piano Concerto, weaves a moving new storyline through iconic Tchaikovsky’s sunny Serenade for Strings songs from Carousel and Oklahoma!, The King and the classical beauty of Stravinsky’s and I, South Pacific and The Sound of Music, Apollon musagète. with performances from some of today’s top names in musical theatre. 18 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School Conceived and created by Tony Award-winning 1hr 20mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 director and choreographer Walter Bobbie, A Grand Night for Singing took Broadway by storm at its opening in 1993. This new staging Supported by Dunard Fund is conceived by Kim Criswell, one of today’s pre-eminent musical theatre singer/actors. She stars in the production, one of a handpicked cast of brilliant musical theatre performers that also includes lyric soprano Danielle de Niese.

8, 10, 12, 13 Aug 7.30pm 10, 13 Aug 3pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 30mins approx. | No interval | £35 – £40

Sung in English with supertitles

A Grand Night for Singing is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd

26VALERY THEATRE GERGIEV MUSIC 27 A GREAT DISORDERED HEART Aidan O’Rourke

‘And thus, as I fancied, the dense life within made itself faintly audible in my ears, family after family contributing its quota to the general hum, and the whole pile beating in tune to its timepieces, like a great disordered heart.’ ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON ON EDINBURGH’S COWGATE, 1878

Fiddler, composer and producer Aidan O’Rourke brings a personal concert series and film project to life, considering the past and present of his home in the heart of Edinburgh’s Little 13 Aug 8pm Shared Melodies Ireland. This is a community built on centuries of immigration Aidan O’Rourke, Cormac Begley Brìghde Chaimbeul and and on the brink of fading from memory. The recent hiatus special guest in tourism has given the Cowgate and Old Town a chance to reconnect and these connections have led to this honest 14 Aug 8pm Shared Songs perspective on Scotland’s relationship with Ireland and itself. Liam Ó Maonlaí, Allan Macdonald, Sian and special guests The Concerts 15 Aug 5pm & 8pm Shared Futures In Shared Melodies, Aidan O’Rourke is joined by piper Brìghde Lau, Lisa O’Neill Chaimbeul, concertina player Cormac Begley and a special guest. Irish singer Liam Ó Maonlaí, Scottish singer and piper 1hr 15mins (no interval) Allan Macdonald, celebrated trio Sian and special guests Old College Quad explore the threads linking Gaelic song from both sides of £26 the Irish Sea in Shared Songs. Finally, Shared Futures features Scotland’s folk trio Lau together with Lisa O’Neill, one of the Aidan O’Rourke Curator most original voices in Irish traditional song. Presented in association with the National Concert Hall of The Film Ireland and The Soundhouse ʻA film about Edinburgh. About multiple Edinburghs, really. Organisation It’s about centuries of layers. The Old Town has two main rhythms. One is the rhythm of the community. People who live here, go to school here, tend our communal gardens. The other is a rhythm of Airbnb-ers, bus tours and cashmere scarf shoppers. This year, Supported by the balance shifted.ʼ AIDAN O’ROURKE Edinburgh Futures Institute at The University of Edinburgh The filmA Great Disordered Heart, created by Aidan O’Rourke Culture Ireland with Mark Cousins, will be released in late 2021.

MUSIC | FILM 29 MEDICINE FIELD – SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE NOW Landmark Productions Galway International Arts Festival Curious Seed Enda Walsh Christine Devaney Concept & Director Karen Tennent Associate Artist & Designer Skye Reynolds Associate Artist & Performer Enda Walsh Writer & Director Greg Sinclair Musical Director & Performer Jamie Vartan Set Designer Adam Silverman Featuring an ensemble of Edinburgh-based performers Lighting Designer Teho Teardo Composer Helen Atkinson Sound Designer Joan O'Clery Costume Designer

Cast includes Clare Barrett, Sean Carpio, Field is a durational outdoor dance-happening Aoife Duffin, Domhnall Gleeson conceived in a physically distanced world.

With the majestic Arthur’s Seat as a backdrop, performers respond to the surrounding landscape and each other by following a series Domhnall Gleeson leads a formidable of movement and live sound scores. cast in a new play from revered Irish playwright Enda Walsh. Devastatingly There's enough room for everyone to immerse funny and profoundly moving, Medicine themselves in this uplifting work and the examines social responses to mental health beautiful Holyrood Park provides the perfect concerns, while deconstructing the fabric setting for a joyful celebration. of theatrical performance. Watch for a moment or stay for the duration. John Kane sits on a hospital trolley Very shortly, a giant lobster, two women called Mary, a very old man and a jazz percussionist 22 Aug 1pm & 29 Aug 4pm | Holyrood Park 4hrs approx. | FREE and unticketed arrive. Then everything starts.

Medicine is a dark and frequently absurdist Made possible through the PLACE programme work that shatters the boundary between cast and audience; actors are interrupted by crew members, technical mechanics happen on stage and performance becomes a kind of therapy.

Preview 4–6 Aug 8pm £32 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 Aug 8pm 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 Aug 2pm 29 Aug 6.30pm | Traverse Theatre 1hr 30mins approx. (no interval) | £37

18, 20 Aug 8pm

Supported by Culture Ireland

30 MEDICINE THEATRE | DANCE 31 ALAN CUMMING BALLAKÉ SISSOKO IS NOT ACTING & VINCENT SÉGAL HIS AGE

After years of touring together, legendary kora authority Ballaké Sissoko and cellist Middle-aged polymath Alan Cumming Vincent Ségal have created their own hybrid explores the mores of aging and rages tradition that draws on ancient West African against the rejuvenescence machine. troubadour songs and Baroque music with In song obviously. a clearly modern sensibility. Together the Alan Cumming makes a glorious return to duo were awarded the Victoire de la Musique the International Festival in an evening of (often considered the French Grammy Award) story and song that joyfully and mischievously for their album Chamber Music. celebrates aging. One of todayʼs leading kora masters, Malian Winner of Tony and Olivier Awards, and musician Sissoko found success as a recording a recipient of multiple Golden Globe and artist, often in collaboration with other Emmy nominations, Cumming is a star of world-renowned artists, most notably his television, film and theatre, including the cousin Toumani Diabaté. Their spellbinding acclaimed Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs 1999 album New Ancient Strings paid tribute at the 2016 International Festival. to the highly respected collection of kora duets recorded by their fathers in 1970, Ancient Strings. 28, 29 Aug 7pm & 9.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £37 Ségal, a former member of the French National Orchestra, joins Sissoko in an intimate performance combining classical cello and 21-string kora.

17 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26

Made possible through the PLACE programme

ALAN CUMMING MUSIC 33 SONA JOBARTEH LONELY HOUSE

Katharine Mehrling Actor/singer Barrie Kosky Piano Gambian kora virtuoso Sona Jobarteh comes from a prestigious West African Griot family. She is one of the first female musicians to break away from a tradition that has been dominated by men for seven centuries by Barrie Kosky, Artistic Director of Berlin’s telling ancient stories through her music. Komische Oper, and singer/actor Katharine After learning to play kora aged five, Jobarteh Mehrling invite you to a sophisticated evening went on to study Western classical music and of cabaret. Discover little-known songs has composed cinematic scores and recorded by one of Germany’s most distinctive and vocals for various Holywood films. She has controversial musical figures: Kurt Weill. collaborated with BBC Symphony Orchestra Weill is famed and adored for the biting social and headlined music festivals around the satires of capitalism, cronyism and corruption world. Jobarteh is a regular member of her that he created with Bertolt Brecht in Berlin. brother Tunde Jegedeʼs African Classical But he fled – first to Paris, then to New York – Music Ensemble, has set up a music school after discovering he was about to be interned in The Gambia named after her grandfather by the Nazis. and performed alonside her cousin, the Malian kora player, Toumani Diabaté. She makes There, he continued his unmistakable musical a special appearance in Edinburgh with her style in a clutch of wildly successful musicals, five-piece band. from Knickerbocker Holiday to Lady in the Dark (written with Ira Gershwin), from One Touch of

26 Aug 7.30pm Venus to Street Scene (winner of the inaugural Edinburgh Academy Junior School Tony Award for best original score). 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 Join Kosky and Mehrling in an intimate soirée Made possible through the PLACE programme to discover songs and chansons drawn from Weill’s Paris and Broadway sensations.

20, 21 Aug 9.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26

Supported by Australian High Commission in the UK

SONA JOBARTEH MUSIC 35 A TOAST TO THE PEOPLE

‘But I don’t want comfort. I want poetry. I want danger. I want freedom. I want goodness. I want sin.’ 23–27 Aug 8pm ALDOUS HUXLEY, BRAVE NEW WORLD 1hr 15mins approx. (no interval)

Old College Quad The Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh £14 International Book Festival partner to present a celebration of emergence and of a new world order that we can imagine and Artists include might make possible. Vanessa Kisuule Safiya Sinclair Over five nights, inspirational spoken word artists will present Wana Udobang their ideas of what this might be. Celebratory or speculative, Saul Williams Rafeef Ziadah personal or political, comfortable or dangerous, these commissions are performed live and will be made into a series of short films to be released online after the event. 23–27 Aug 8pm

Each night includes the premiere of a newly commissioned In partnership with Edinburgh piece inspired by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson's ‘A Toast International Book Festival to the People’, a set of the artists' own choosing and a hosted Made possible through informal conversation with the artists. the PLACE programme GREAT FESTIVALS NEED GREAT SUPPORTERS

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Please support the International Festival and our year-round work with communities, schools and young people by making a £5, £10 or £50 donation when booking your tickets.

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VANESSA KISUULE THE OPENING CONCERT ROYAL PHILHARMONIC BBC Symphony Orchestra ORCHESTRA Dalia Stasevska Conductor Vasily Petrenko Conductor Anna Clyne New Work WORLD PREMIERE Respighi Trittico Botticelliano Isata Kanneh-Mason Piano Stravinsky Pulcinella Clara Schumann Piano Concerto The BBC Symphony Orchestra launches the 2021 Beethoven Symphony No 7 International Festival’s orchestral series with Discover Clara Schumann’s remarkable a concert full of the sun, wit and inspiration Piano Concerto, begun when she was just 14, of Italy. Respighi provides musical reimaginings in the company of one of the composer’s most of a triptych of Botticelli paintings, while devoted interpreters. Pianist Isata Kanneh- Stravinsky raided earlier Italian music for his Mason first rose to prominence as one of her delirious ballet score Pulcinella. To open, a brand family’s seven remarkable musical siblings new commission from Anna Clyne, one of and has since forged a hugely successful today’s most emotionally involving composers. solo career. Russian-born conductor Vasily Sung in Italian with English supertitles Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra close with the unstoppable rhythms 7 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm of Beethoven’s joyful Seventh Symphony. Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 9 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School Supported by The Pirie Rankin Charitable Trust 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 EDINBURGH Supported by Joscelyn Fox A GRAND NIGHT ACADEMY JUNIOR FOR SINGING ROYAL SCOTTISH Edinburgh Festival Ensemble NATIONAL ORCHESTRA Wayne Marshall Music Director Kim Criswell Staging & THOMAS SØNDERGÅRD

Rodgers & Hammersteinʼs A Grand Night for Singing Thomas Søndergård Conductor SCHOOL Music by Richard Rodgers Members of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II International Festival Stage Aidan Oliver Chorus Director 10 Arboretum Road, EH3 5PL Musical Arrangements by Fred Wells Orchestration by Michael Gibson & Jonathan Tunick Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream Venue subject to planning Conceived by Walter Bobbie Mendelssohn’s incidental music to This dazzling staged musical revue weaves Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream a moving new storyline through iconic songs is one of his most comical, romantic, Our new specially constructed covered pavilion on from Carousel and Oklahoma!, The King and ethereal creations. Seldom performed in its the grounds of Edinburgh Academy Junior School I, South Pacific and The Sound of Music. entirety, this is your rare opportunity to discover the composer’s magical musical provides a relaxed and safe performance environment. 8, 10, 12, 13 Aug 7.30pm 10, 13 Aug 3pm world in the company of one of Scotland’s Enjoy moving orchestral music, poignant and sometimes Edinburgh Academy Junior School most vibrant musical partnerships. riotous concert opera and a spirited musical gala to 1hr 30mins approx. | No interval | £35 – £40 remember. We invite you to experience the magic of Sung in English with supertitles Sung in English with English supertitles outdoor evening performances with a diverse programme A Grand Night for Singing is presented by 11 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd Edinburgh Academy Junior School of music and opera in this scenic Edinburgh location. 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34

CLASSICAL MUSIC 39 BENEDETTI BAROQUE ROYAL SCOTTISH ORCHESTRA NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Nicola Benedetti Director / Violin & ELIM CHAN

Programme includes Elim Chan Conductor Geminiani Concerto Grosso in D minor ‘La Folia’ Sol Gabetta Cello Vivaldi Concerto in D major RV211 Vivaldi Concerto in B minor RV386 Caroline Shaw Entr’acte Vivaldi ‘Summer’ from The Four Seasons Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No 1 Beethoven Symphony No 1

Nicola Benedetti begins her three-concert Argentinian-born Sol Gabetta joins the RSNO International Festival residency with in the sparkling wit and drama of Saint-Saëns’s a concert revealing the multifaceted musical concise First Cello Concerto. Principal Guest creations of Vivaldi. She is joined by the Conductor Elim Chan completes the concert Benedetti Baroque Orchestra of specially with Beethoven’s pioneering First Symphony selected period-instrument players. and the haunting Entr’acte by remarkable young US composer Caroline Shaw. 14 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School 16 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 Supported by Binks Trust

BBC SCOTTISH CHINEKE! SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ORCHESTRA & WILLIAM EDDINS Marin Alsop Conductor William Eddins Conductor Jessie Montgomery Strum Simone Ibbett-Brown Staging Maxwell Davies A Spell for Green Corn Beethoven Symphony No 5 Andrea Baker Mezzo soprano

Ayanna Witter-Johnson New work World Premiere The most famous symphony ever written Judith Weir woman.life.song forms the climax of this wide-ranging concert The Chineke! Orchestra assembles under from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra inspirational US conductor William Eddins and conductor Marin Alsop. Beethoven’s for Judith Weir’s remarkable orchestral Fifth takes you on a journey through turmoil song cycle on all aspects of womanhood, and mystery to joy and optimism, Maxwell using texts by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison Davies celebrates ancient Orcadian traditions and Clarissa Pinkola Estés. in his folk-inspired A Spell for Green Corn and young New Yorker Jessie Montgomery Sung in English with English supertitles brings unstoppable dance rhythms in her folk- and rock-inspired Strum. 17 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School 15 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 Edinburgh Academy Junior School Supported by Susie Thomson 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34

Supported by Donald and Louise MacDonald

MARIN ALSOP CLASSICAL MUSIC 41 ROYAL SCOTTISH DIDO’S GHOST

NATIONAL ORCHESTRA Dunedin Consort & VALERY GERGIEV John Butt Conductor Frederic Wake-Walker Director Valery Gergiev Conductor Errollyn Wallen Dido’s Ghost Daniil Trifonov Piano A new opera incorporating Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas Christopher Hart Trumpet

Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings The story of Dido and Aeneas didn’t end with Shostakovich Piano Concerto No 1 Dido’s death. Discover what happened next, Stravinsky Apollon musagète and how memories wield a power all of their own, as composer Errollyn Wallen, wih Russian powerhouse conductor Valery a libretto by Wesley Stace, continues the tale. Gergiev and fiery pianist Daniil Trifonov, join the RSNO for a concert of heartfelt Dido’s Ghost reframes, illuminates and expands melody and mischievous humour: the Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas. Performed on fun and frolics of Shostakovich’s youthful period instruments, Dido’s Ghost bridges the First Piano Concerto, Tchaikovsky’s sunny gap between worlds, as past blurs into present, Serenade for Strings and the classical and memory becomes emotion, in an ambitious beauty of Stravinsky’s Apollon musagète. new blending of ancient and modern.

18 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm 20–22 Aug 7.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 1hr 45mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34

Supported by Dunard Fund Sung in English with supertitles

Supported by James and Morag Anderson LONDON SYMPHONY Binks Trust ORCHESTRA Sir Simon Rattle Conductor THE SOLDIER’S TALE

Ibert Divertissement Stravinsky The Soldier’s Tale Martinů Jazz Suite Strauss Le Bourgeois gentilhomme A Faustian pact with the Devil and a charmed violin with uncanny powers over all who hear Musical jokes are high on the agenda it. Nicola Benedetti’s final performance as from the esteemed musical partnership resident artist presents Stravinsky’s darkly of Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony witty The Soldier’s Tale, a unique mix of theatre Orchestra, from the nose-thumbing and music, in which she’s joined by a specially pranks of Ibert’s riotous Divertissement selected ensemble of musicians and actors. to Strauss’s incidental music to Molière’s satirical Le bourgeois gentilhomme. Performed in English with supertitles

19 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm 21 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 Supported by Geoff and Mary Ball

SIR SIMON RATTLE CLASSICAL MUSIC 43 JOYCE DIDONATO ARIADNE AUF NAXOS & IL POMO D’ORO Sir Andrew Davis Conductor My Favourite Things Louisa Muller Staging Strauss Ariadne auf Naxos (1916 version) Zefira Valova Director/violin Joyce DiDonato Mezzo soprano Strauss’s comedy about high art and low art, life, love and fidelity gets a brand new Programme to include instrumental and vocal music concert staging by Louisa Muller. Among the by Monteverdi, Rossi and Rameau and arias from Handelʼs operas Giulio Cesare and Ariodante. specially selected cast are revered German soprano Dorothea Röschmann and Thomas Vocal superstar Joyce DiDonato presents Quasthoff as the house’s major-domo. her personal selection of her most cherished Sung in German with English supertitles opera arias – all from the sumptuous, ornate repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries. 25, 27, 29 Aug 7.30pm She is joined by fiery Italian period-instrument Edinburgh Academy Junior School 2hr 15mins approx. | No Interval | £35 – £40 ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro, recognised for their dynamic performance style. Supported by Dunard Fund James and Morag Anderson Sung with English supertitles

23 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm SCOTTISH CHAMBER Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 ORCHESTRA Kazushi Ono Conductor Supported by Italian Institute of Culture and Takemitsu Tree Line Italian Consulate General-Edinburgh Hosokawa Blossoming II Ravel Le tombeau de Couperin Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 ‘Classical’

Edinburgh’s own Scottish Chamber Orchestra THOMAS QUASTHOFF under eminent Japanese maestro Kazushi Ono QUARTET presents Ravel and Prokofiev. Beforehand, For You discover two evocative Japanese pieces inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Thomas Quasthoff Vocals 28 Aug 6pm & 8.30pm Simon Oslender Piano Edinburgh Academy Junior School Dieter Ilg Bass 1hr 10mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 Wolfgang Haffner Percussion

Described by German magazine Der MEMBERS OF Stern as ‘the man with the most beautiful THE EDINBURGH voice in the world’, bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff trained as a classical singer, FESTIVAL CHORUS but brings the same intensity and insights Aidan Oliver Conductor & Chorus Director to jazz that he once brought to Schubert. This year the Festival Chorus returns as a small Join him and three of Germany’s chamber choir under Chorus Director Aidan most exceptional jazz performers for Oliver in a concert of varied music by Tallis, an intimate evening of vocal classics. Britten, Holst, Errollyn Wallen and Abbie Betinis. 24 Aug 7.30pm Sunday 29 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm Edinburgh Academy Junior School Edinburgh Academy Junior School 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £29 – £34 40mins approx. | No interval | £5 – £10

JOYCE DIDONATO CLASSICAL MUSIC 45 RONALD BRAUTIGAM, ZEHETMAIR QUARTET ESTHER HOPPE Brahms String Quartet in C minor Op 51 No 1 & CHRISTIAN POLTÉRA Brahms String Quartet in A minor Op 51 No 2

Ronald Brautigam Fortepiano Playing entirely from memory gives Esther Hoppe Violin the Zehetmair Quartet’s performances a uniquely Christian Poltéra Cello vivid, invigorating quality that communicates Fanny Mendelssohn Piano Trio the music’s meaning without the barrier of sheet Felix Mendelssohn Piano Trio No 1 in D minor music. They bring together two much-loved chamber works, complementary yet contrasting.

The celebrated Dutch fortepianist joins 10 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad two esteemed friends and colleagues for 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 passionate chamber music by musical siblings Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn.

7 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad MARI ERIKSMOEN 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 & DANIEL HEIDE OLD COLLEGE Supported by The Pirie Rankin Charitable Trust Mari Eriksmoen Soprano Daniel Heide Piano

Songs and Lieder by Grieg, Schumann, PATRICIA Wolf and Grøndahl QUAD KOPATCHINSKAJA International Festival Stage & FAZIL SAY With her remarkable purity of tone, her vivid stage personality and her effortless elegance and The University of Edinburgh poise, Norwegian lyric soprano Mari Eriksmoen South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL Patricia Kopatchinskaja Violin Fazil Say Piano is one of the most dynamic Scandinavian musicians to have emerged in recent years. Schubert Sonatina in A minor Joined by German pianist Daniel Heide, for violin and piano D385 she makes her International Festival debut. The Edinburgh International Festival takes up Brahms Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor residence in the Old College Quad, celebrating its long Janáček Violin Sonata 11 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad association with The University of Edinburgh through 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 a varied programme this August. Enjoy chamber music, Supported by Dubbed the ‘most exciting violinist in the Norwegian Consulate General, Edinburgh trad sessions, spoken word and cabaret in our specially world’, Patricia Kopatchinskaja is a force of constructed covered pavilion. nature. She’s joined by the equally pioneering Turkish pianist Fazil Say – a keyboard Performances include In the Tradition (p56), our season star in his own right, famed for his bright, of traditional music from Scotland and the spoken word brilliant playing – in a richly emotional Romantic concert, including Brahms’s stormy, series, A Toast to the People (p36). While acclaimed fiery, spectacular Third Violin Sonata. ensembles and soloists, including Zehetmair Quartet, 9 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad Elisabeth Leonskaja and Mariam Batsashvili perform 1hr approx. | No interval | £32

a range of captivating classical music. Supported by Austrian Cultural Forum London In collaboration with The University of Edinburgh

CHAMBER MUSIC 47 STEVEN OSBORNE MALCOLM MARTINEAU & FRIENDS Schubert Impromptu D935 No 1 Crumb Processional Walter Scott 250 Tippett Piano Sonata No 2 Beethoven Piano Sonata No 32 in C minor Elizabeth Watts Soprano Roderick Williams Baritone Combining powerful energy with delicate Malcolm Martineau Piano poetry, Edinburgh-based Steven Osborne Sijie Chen Violin is among the most renowned of today’s Ursula Smith Cello pianists worldwide. He brings together A programme with texts by Sir Walter Scott, four contrasting pieces that demonstrate including works by Schubert, Haydn, his versatility and adventurous spirit. Beethoven and Sibelius 12 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 Join Edinburgh’s eminent accompanist Supported by Gavin and Kate Gemmell Malcolm Martineau, as he invites an intimate gathering of musical friends for a concert of songs based around the heroic, romantic MAXIM EMELYANYCHEV verse of Sir Walter Scott, including music & PRINCIPALS OF THE by Schubert, Haydn, Beethoven and Sibelius. SCOTTISH CHAMBER 14 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 ORCHESTRA Supported by The Calateria Trust

Mozart Quintet for Piano & Winds Thuille Sextet for Piano & Winds CHINEKE! CHAMBER The Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Principal ENSEMBLE Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev is equally respected as a pianist: join him and five of the SCO’s celebrated woodwind principals Vaughan Williams Piano Quintet in C minor Coleridge-Taylor Nonet in F minor to discover two striking works for piano and winds. Mozart considered his Quintet in E flat for piano and winds to be the best Chineke! Chamber Ensemble provides music he’d written, while the Sextet by crucial opportunities for Black and Minority Ludwig Thuille, a contemporary and friend Ethnic classical musicians. The Ensemble of Strauss, overflows with jolly melody. performs the richly lyrical Nonet by British composer Coleridge-Taylor, alongside 13 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 Vaughan Williams’s passionate but rarely heard Piano Quintet at this year’s International Festival.

16 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32

Supported by Professor Ludmilla Jordanova

MALCOLM MARTINEAU CHAMBER MUSIC 49 THE STORY OF THE VIOLIN GOLDMUND QUARTET

Nicola Benedetti Violin Haydn String Quartet in B minor Op 33 No 1 Schubert String Quartet No 14 in D minor D810 Programme includes ‘Death and the Maiden’ Biber Passacaglia Bach Chaconne Paganini Caprices 1 & 24 Winner of prestigious awards at the 2018 Ysaÿe Sonata No 3 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition and Melbourne International Resident artist at the 2021 International Chamber Music Competition, the Goldmund Festival, Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti Quartet makes its International Festival debut is one of the world's most inquisitive artists, with Schubert’s deeply cathartic ‘Death and with a repertoire stretching from the Baroque the Maiden’, as well as Haydn’s exceptionally to contemporary music. Discover the beautiful String Quartet in B minor. surprising history and astonishing musical 19 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad richness of the violin, in the company of 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 one its most compelling virtuoso players. Supported by 17 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad James and Isobel Stretton 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Edinburgh Supported by Claire and Mark Urquhart

MARIAM BATSASHVILI ELISABETH LEONSKAJA

Schumann Fantasiestücke Op 12 Schubert Allegretto in E flat major D946 No 2 Schubert/Liszt Aufenthalt, Ständchen & Erlkönig Schoenberg Six Little Piano Pieces Op 19 Wagner/Liszt Isolde’s Liebestod Brahms Sonata in F minor Op 5 Liszt Valse de bravoure

One of the most widely respected pianists The first female winner of the International performing today, Elisabeth Leonskaja Franz Liszt Piano Competition back in 2014, brings the thrill of rediscovery to her Georgian-born Mariam Batsashvili is one concerts, finding fresh new perspectives of the most compelling keyboard talents on even much-loved music. She performs around today, capable of breathtaking Schubert’s gently lyrical Allegretto, intense technical feats yet able to find poetry in miniatures by Schoenberg and Brahms’s even the most virtuosic pianistic fireworks. expansive, ambitious Third Piano Sonata, Her exuberant International Festival debut inspired by Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. recital brings together breathtakingly virtuosic Liszt transcriptions with the 18 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 high-flying Romanticism of Schumann’s eight sublime Fantasiestücke Op 12. Supported by Dunard Fund 20 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32

Supported by The Inches Carr Trust

MARIAM BATSASHVILI CHAMBER MUSIC 51 LONELY HOUSE NOA WILDSCHUT

Katharine Mehrling Actor/singer & ELISABETH BRAUß Barrie Kosky Piano

Barrie Kosky, Artistic Director of Berlin’s Fauré Violin Sonata No.1 Shostakovich (arr Tsyganov & Auerbach) Komische Oper, and singer/actor Katharine Selection from 24 Preludes Op 34 Mehrling invite you to a sophisticated evening Milhaud Cinéma-fantaisie after of cabaret. Discover little-known songs Le boeuf sur le toit Op 58b by one of Germany’s most distinctive and controversial musical figures: Kurt Weill. Just 20 years old, Dutch violinist Noa Weill is famed for the biting social satires of Wildschut is already one of the most capitalism, cronyism and corruption that he distinctive talents of her generation. created with Bertolt Brecht in Berlin. But he This is your chance to discover a charismatic fled – first to Paris, then to New York. There, player with a wholly individual approach, he continued his unmistakable musical as she makes her International Festival style in a clutch of successful musicals, debut, joined by exceptional young German from One Touch of Venus to Street Scene. pianist Elisabeth Brauß, in a typically wide- ranging, unashamedly entertaining recital. Join Kosky and Mehrling in an intimate soirée to discover songs and chansons drawn from 24 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm Weill’s Paris and Broadway sensations. Old College Quad | 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 Supported by Françoise Robertson 20, 21 Aug 9.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £26

Supported by Australian High Commission in the UK RENÉE FLEMING & HARTMUT HÖLL

GERALD FINLEY & JULIUS DRAKE Lieder and songs by Handel, Fauré and Strauss

Schumann Dichterliebe Schubert Schwanengesang (excerpts) One of classical music’s true superstars, American soprano Renée Fleming has Canadian baritone Gerald Finley is a singer a voice that revered conductor Sir Georg of rare distinction and commanding Solti described as being ‘like double character. Joined by his regular recital cream’. Joined by her regular performance partner Julius Drake, Finley performs partner German pianist Hartmut Höll, distinctive works by two of the masters she gives a typically wide-ranging recital of Romantic song, in a powerful recital bringing together the dramatic clarity of based around verse on love, desire and Handel, the lyrical charm of Fauré and the loss by German poet Heinrich Heine. Romantic opulence of Richard Strauss.

Supported by Supported by Dunard Fund Donald and Louise MacDonald High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom Québec Government Office in London

KATHARINE MEHRLING, BARRIE KOSKY MUSIC | CHAMBER MUSIC 53 GRINGOLTS QUARTET ALAN CUMMING

IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE Mozart String Quartet No 13 in D minor K 173 Dvořák String Quartet No 13 in G major Op 106 Middle-aged Scottish polymath Alan Led by international violin soloist Cumming explores the mores of ageing Ilya Gringolts, the Gringolts Quartet and rages against the rejuvenescence has dazzled audiences worldwide and machine. In song obviously. established itself as one of the most revelatory chamber groups of today. 28 & 29 Aug 7pm & 9.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £37 26 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 Supported by Niall and Carol Lothian THE NORMAL Talbot Rice Gallery exhibition

FATMA SAID Featuring Larry Achiampong, Amy Balkin, & MALCOLM MARTINEAU Anca Benera & Arnold Estefan, Boyle Family, Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg & Sascha Pohflepp,

Gabrielle Goliath, Femke Herregraven, Songs by Mozart, Ravel, de Falla and Lorca Jarsdell Solutions Ltd, Kahlil Joseph, Tonya McMullan, Sarah Rose, James Webb Soprano Fatma Said was the first Egyptian vocalist to perform at La Scala, Milan, with a voice that floats effortlessly. Joined The Normal is a vivid reflection of life in 2020 by Edinburgh-born pianist Malcolm during the pandemic. Through artworks that Martineau, Said makes her International express hope, grief, survival, violence and Festival debut with songs by Mozart, solidarity, the exhibition situates our lived Ravel and the infectious rhythms of experience within a global artistic dialogue. Spanish songs by de Falla and Lorca. All of this is underscored by the need for

27 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad a profound re-orientation towards planetary 1hr approx. | No interval | £32 health following this loud wake up call.

Supported by The Peter Diamand Trust FREE tickets required

Book at trg.ed.ac.uk MASTERCLASSES WITH Throughout August | 10am–5pm THOMAS QUASTHOFF Talbot Rice Gallery, Old College Quad

Join eminent German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff as he gives public masterclasses to two emerging duos of outstanding young singers at the beginnings of their careers. Get close to everything that goes into creating an exceptional performance.

28 Aug 12pm & 2.30pm | Old College Quad 1hr approx. | No interval | £32

THOMAS QUASTHOFF CHAMBER MUSIC 55 DUNCAN CHISHOLM

Duncan Chisholm is widely considered one of the most authentic interpreters of traditional Highland music, with fiddle playing inspired by Scotland’s dramatic landscapes. In this special performance he is joined by Jarlath Henderson (pipes and whistles), Innes Watson (guitar), Hamish Napier UNIVERSITY (keys) and James Mackintosh (percussion). OF EDINBURGH: 7 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 Celebrating 70 years of the School of Scottish Studies and Archives RURA

One of Scotland’s most sought-after folk A Folk Song Sharing bands, RURA’s rugged yet refined blend of An intimate intergenerational exchange of fiddle, Highland pipes, flute, bodhrán and songs and their stories: three artists share guitar has won them multiple prestigious favourite songs, how they came to sing awards. Their entrancing sound has taken them, the story behind the song and how them on tours across more than 20 countries.

their interpretation evolved. Performances 9 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad from Nancy Nicolson (Scots song and story), 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 Josie Duncan (Scots, Gaelic and original Supported by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo IN THE song) and Arthur Cormack (Gaelic song).

8 Aug 3pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 TRADITION TALISK Firebrand instrumental trio Talisk have The Living Archive stacked up several major awards for their A season of traditional Scottish music in its most Performances inspired by material from explosive yet artful sound, including raw and powerful form: In the Tradition features the School of Scottish Studies Archives from 2018’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Music and 2017’s Folk Band of the Year, concerts by some of Scotland’s best-loved ensembles Kirsty Law (Scots song), Mary MacMaster (clarsach, electro harp) and Mike Vass (fiddle, both at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music and soloists. We are grateful to Celtic Connections, tenor guitar) with Sophie Stephenson (dance). Awards and BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. University of Edinburgh and The Soundhouse 8 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad 10 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad Organisation for their collaboration on this series. 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26

56 CLASSICAL MUSIC CLASSICAL MUSICMUSIC 5757 JENNA REID & HARRIS PLAYFAIR WITH MR MCFALL’S CHAMBER

Jenna Reid is one of Shetland’s finest fiddlers. She is joined by her long-time accompanist Harris Playfair and Mr McFall’s Chamber, who mix widely different styles, from progressive rock, tango, cartoon classics, folk, jazz and DÀIMH early music to contemporary classical.

Dàimh have toured contemporary Highland 19 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad and Gaelic music to over 20 countries. 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 Recent accolades include 2019’s Best Folk Band in Europe at the prestigious FolkHerbst BREABACH competition and Folk Band of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. One of Scotland’s most imaginative folk KARINE POLWART groups unite Highland and Island traditions. 11 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad Scotland’s best-loved folk singer-songwriter They perform traditional songs, contemporary 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 Karine Polwart has won seven BBC Radio 2 tunes and original compositions from Folk Awards. She showcases her profound Supported by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo each multi-talented band member. lyrical talents in an intimate show. 16 Aug 8pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 22 Aug 3pm | Old College Quad 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £26 KINNARIS QUINTET Supported by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Winners of the 2019 Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Music, Glasgow’s Kinnaris SIOBHAN MILLER Quintet – on three fiddles, mandolin and FARA guitar – combine Scottish and Irish folk Siobhan Miller’s soulful voice and evocative with bluegrass, classical, Scandinavian and Fara brings together four musicians at the song-writing have made her the only Appalachian influences. Having quickly forefront of today’s folk scene, with a fiery three-time winner of Scots Singer of the become in-demand headliners, they continue sound rooted in their Orkney upbringing. Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music to enthral as one of Scotland’s most They combine traditional tunes with original Awards. Her performance combines excitingly accomplished current folk acts. compositions and stunning vocals. folk, indie and alternative influences.

58 CLASSICALMUSIC MUSIC CLASSICAL MUSIC 59 KATHRYN JOSEPH RICHARD DAWSON

Indie folk singer-songwriter Kathryn An utterly compelling modern-day folk Joseph’s debut Bones you have thrown me troubadour, Richard Dawson’s most recent and blood I’ve spilled won Scottish Album album 2020 chronicles the stark realities of of the Year in 2015. The Inverness-born artist British life, not shying away from themes has since collaborated with RM Hubbert including racism, homelessness, exploited and James Graham of The Twilight Sad and workers and heartache. The Geordie toured a live theatrical staging of her second singer-songwriter brings grace and album From When I Wake The Want Is. dark humour to his music, and dignity to his kitchen sink subject matter. 8 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 13 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26

TIDE LINES ERLAND COOPER This rousing folk rock four-piece hail from the Scottish Highlands and Glasgow. After growing up in Stromness, the music Their anthemic singalongs have been warmly of Erland Cooper often celebrates the rich received since forming in 2016; they sold out Nordic ancestry of Orkney, his island home. the Barrowland Ballroom in five minutes and This year’s album Holm is an intriguing were named the Rising Sound of Scotland and moving blend of stark, ambient at the 2019 Scottish Music Awards. electronica and modern classical melody, EDINBURGH drawing inspiration from psychogeography, 9 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park poetry and cinematography. 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 15 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park PARK 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 International Festival Stage THE SNUTS Lochside Way, Edinburgh EH12 9GG The much loved indie rockers from West SHONA THE MUSICAL CHOIR Lothian formed a band six years ago while still at school, and have gained a loyal fanbase with Shona the Musical Choir is a Scottish/African The Edinburgh International Festival takes up their sweaty, energetic live shows. This year’s choir based in Edinburgh, presenting original debut album Whitburn Loopy hit number songs from Shona the Musical, a cross-cultural residence in a new location in the west of the city one in the UK charts, and drew comparisons love story that transcends racial barriers. thanks to a partnership with Parabola and support from to The Libertines and The Arctic Monkeys. The story and music are inspired by historical events and the socio-political turmoil of Robert Sir Ewan and Lady Brown. Our contemporary music 11 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park Mugabe’s rule of Zimbabwe. Expect a mix of programme comes alive at the purpose-built outdoor 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 melodic songs, energetic African drumming, venue in Edinburgh Park, with groundbreaking artists joyful dancing, spectacular costumes and from Scotland, the UK and beyond performing a series harmonious singing.

of dynamic concerts. Genres range through jazz, folk, 16 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park indie rock and pop. 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £13 – £18

Supported by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown Made possible through the PLACE programme

In collaboration with Parabola

CONTEMPORARYCLASSICAL MUSIC 61 MOSES BOYD ANNA MEREDITH

Dark Matter, the debut solo album Anna Meredith returns to Edinburgh from the accomplished London jazz with her live band to perform her second drummer and producer Moses Boyd was album. FIBS is a bright crossover of pop shortlisted for the Mercury Prize last and orchestral tropes, in which the award- year. A freewheeling record of dancefloor winning avant-pop artist and composer crossover and London underground club delivers rich, energetic symphonies. sounds, the album made a memorable 20 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park statement from a gifted, young artist, 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 boldly weaving together different genres.

17 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 THE UNTHANKS

This all female Northumbrian folk collective NADINE SHAH is fronted by sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank. Their work focuses on traditional The richly voiced, Mercury nominated English folk styles, but over the years has singer songwriter follows up the release evolved into exploring covers of songs by of last summer’s critically acclaimed Robert Wyatt and Antony & the Johnsons, fourth album, Kitchen Sink with this much creating documentary film scores and anticipated live date. Born in Tyneside collaborating with a brass band.

to British-Norwegian-Pakistani parents, 22 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park Shah’s work explores the bleaker corners 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 of daily life, with articulate observations on the pressures of modern womanhood.

18 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26

BLACK MIDI

A strange and exciting art rock four-piece, black midi’s 2019 debut album Schlagenheim scooped a Mercury Prize, and was followed up by this year’s Cavalcade. The Londoners have received much hype for their improvisational, surreal stylings and recently branched out into jamming over spoken word readings on NTS Radio’s The Black Midi Variety Hour.

19 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26

ANNA MEREDITH CONTEMPORARY MUSIC 63 BLACK COUNTRY, KOKOROKO

NEW ROAD Bringing feelgood Afrobeat music from Formed in 2018, this indie rock band named London, this mellow collective takes its themselves after a dual carriageway in the name from the Nigerian Urhobo dialect, West Midlands. Their experimental style meaning ’be strong’. Their breakthrough pays little attention to genres, blending came in 2018 with the song ’Abusey Junction’ violin and saxophone with guitar and which has had almost 45 million views keyboard for a muscular, energetic sound, on YouTube and last year they won which has been compared to Slint or Dirty Best Group at the Urban Music Awards. Projectors. Their innovative debut album 26 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park For the First Time was released this year. 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26

23 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 LAURA MVULA

Birmingham-born artist Laura Mvula grew up DAMON ALBARN loving the girl band Eternal and singing in her A rare solo appearance from the eclectic auntie’s a cappella choir. Her thrilling gospel musician and composer, featuring music pop has been nominated twice for the Mercury from new work The Nearer the Fountain, Prize, for debut album Sing Me To The Moon More Pure the Stream Flows and other (2013) and The Dreaming Room (2016). A third songs from his extensive catalogue. album, Pink Noise, was recently released. 29 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 24 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26

THE COMET IS COMING

A buzzing blend of psychedelic rock, energetic funk and life-affirming Afrobeat, this cosmic jazz trio is made up of saxophonist King Shabaka, keyboardist Danalogue and drummer Betamax. After two award-winning albums, the band bring a phenomenal sci-fi infused live show that strives for ’better realities’, spreading their message of infinite love.

25 Aug 8.30pm | Edinburgh Park 1hr 15mins approx. | No interval | £21 – £26

FULL PROGRAMME AVAILABLE AT EIF.CO.UK

64THE COMETCLASSICAL IS COMING MUSIC CONTEMPORARYCLASSICAL MUSIC 65 ’Think Global, Act Local’

The Edinburgh International Festival’s commitment to communities across Scotland inspires year-round Learning and Engagement projects, which aim to connect the Festival, the city and the wider world, and unlock the positive impacts of the arts for all.

Supported by This August we will continue to develop pathways to and from the Festival programme, ensuring that citizens of all walks of life can engage with the artists and performances Investment managers we present. Through our Young Musician’s Passport scheme, over 200 young people will have the opportunity to attend Our grateful thanks go to the classical music events in the Festival for free. This has been companies, individuals and trusts who share our passion made possible through the generous support of the Turtleton for expanding our Learning and Charitable Trust and The Pirie Rankin Charitable Trust. Engagement programme across Edinburgh and beyond. Over the last year our focus has been on resilience and supporting Edinburgh communities to engage with arts and They include culture in a meaningful way. This includes our significant James and Morag Anderson Jerry Ozaniec residency partnership with Leith Academy, as well as four Mike Shipley and Philip Rudge Edinburgh primary schools where the Festival has built Claire and Mark Urquhart outdoor stages to encourage play and creativity. The Castansa Trust Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust Beyond our work with schools, we have provided local The Pirie Rankin Charitable Trust communities with the chance to engage with creativity through The Stevenston Charitable Trust online workshops and distribution of classical music CDs. The Turtleton Charitable Trust LEARNING AND The University of Edinburgh Building on these strong relationships, in-depth engagement Aberdeen Standard Investments continues in 2021 with Amplify, our song-writing project for Badenoch & Co. young people whose voices have been muted by the pandemic. Baillie Gifford Investment Managers and those who wish to remain To find out more about upcoming projects or to support this work ENGAGEMENT anonymous. visit eif.co.uk/L&E

66 67 DIGITAL PERFORMANCES BBC RADIO 3 CONCERT BROADCASTS Chotto Xenos As the International Festival’s official Dancing in the Streets broadcast partner, BBC Radio 3 makes the Niqabi Ninja International Festival’s music offerings available to everyone through a major by Sara Shaarawi series of broadcasts. The station connects audiences with remarkable music and culture, and its relationship with the Edinburgh FESTIVAL International Festival is a key part of that, offering audiences throughout the UK PERFORMANCES and across the world the chance to hear 12 ONLINE concerts from the Old College Quad and five concerts from Edinburgh Academy. All BBC Radio 3 recordings are also available for Ariadne auf Naxos 30 days after broadcast on BBC Sounds. Chineke! Orchestra Fatma Said & Malcolm Martineau #EDINTFEST Lament for Sheku Bayoh Excited about the artists coming this year? EDINBURGH Malcolm Martineau & Friends Booked your tickets? Want to tell the world (and us!) what you thought about your Walter Scott 250 International Festival experiences? Share Royal Philharmonic Orchestra your pictures, videos, reviews and comments FESTIVAL CHORUS for the world to see using #edintfest. Royal Scottish National Orchestra & Elim Chan At the heart of the International Festival is our wonderful Talisk DISCOVER MORE ONLINE Festival Chorus, one of the UK’s leading symphonic The Soldier’s Tale Follow us online to be the first to see new choirs. Its members all share a love of choral singing and videos, blog posts and photos from the enjoy the thrill of performing great works with the world- Zehetmair Quartet International Festival this year. You can also sign up for news via email and view digital class orchestras and conductors at the Festival. Plus selected performances from versions of the brochure at eif.co.uk. By opting the Edinburgh Park contemporary to receive information digitally, you are The Chorus is looking forward to resuming normal rehearsals music series and A Toast to the helping us to be a greener organisation. later this year, and we are always pleased to hear from People spoken word events. singers interested in auditioning to take part: you’ll need For full details go to eif.co.uk. a reasonable level of choral experience and musicianship, eif.co.uk edinburghintfestival but not necessarily a formally trained voice. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings at The Hub, Castlehill. @edintfest @edintfest For more information about the Chorus visit eif.co.uk/chorus edintfest [email protected] Supported by Risk Charitable Fund

68 69 THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS CO-PRODUCTION IMAGE CREDITS CREDITS p6 La Veillée d’Âmes © Vincent Muteau Our donors and supporters play an integral role in our work, and their generosity underpins p8 Breabach © Mihaela Bodlovic everything we do. We are grateful to all our members and supporters for their steadfast Falstaff (p15) p10 Dorothea Röschmann A new co-production with Santa Fe Opera. © Harald Hoffmann Sony Entertainment support through the challenges of last year. Their unwavering support has kept us financially p12 Golda Schultz © Diego Acosta resilient, moving forward and enabled us to share the International Festival experience Lament for Sheku Bayoh (p21) P14 Falstaff © James Glossop with our audiences again. Originally commissioned by Royal Lyceum Theatre p16 Nicola Benedetti © Andy Gotts Edinburgh and performed at the 2019 Edinburgh p18 Chineke! © Ntando Brown We want to thank all our donors, Patrons and Friends, and those International Festival as a work in progress as part p20 Lament for Sheku Bayoh © Mihaela Bodlovic who choose to remain anonymous for their support in 2021. of the You Are Here series. Development work p22 Gregory Maqoma © Moeletsi Mabe supported by the Stephen W Dunn Creative Fund. p24 Chotto Xenos © Jean Louis Fernandez p26 Valery Gergiev © Alberto Venzago Niqabi Ninja Ray and Anita Green p28 A Great Disordered Heart © Mark Cousins Benefactors Ambassador Plus by Sara Shaarawi (p25) Kenneth Harrold p30 Domhnall Gleeson, Medicine © Alex Sapienza In association with Hewar Company (Alexandria). p32 Alan Cumming © Joshua Going James and Morag Anderson Véronique Van Broekhoven and Ray and Pauline Hartman Co-commissioned by Shubbak Festival. p34 Sona Jobarteh © Dan Pier Geoff and Mary Ball Gina Ramsay Shields and Carol Henderson Supported by British Council Arts Digital p36 Vanessa Kisuule © Jon Aitken Sir Ewan and Lady Brown Sheila Colvin Albert L Hoffman and David Shepherd Collaboration Fund & Creative Scotland’s p37 Virgin Money Fireworks Concert © Gaelle Beri Richard and Catherine Burns George Gwilt J Douglas Home Sustaining Creative Development Fund. p40 Marin Alsop © Grant Leighton Lori A. Martin and David and Judith Halkerston Sir Brian and Lady Ivory Alan M Johnston p42 Simon Rattle © Oliver Helbig Christopher L. Eisgruber Andrew Lacey Chotto Xenos (p25) Sir Raymond and Lady Johnstone p44 Joyce DiDonato © Simon Pauly Joscelyn Fox David and Brenda Lamb Filmed at and supported by artsdepot, London. John and Angela Kessler p48 Malcolm Martineau © KK Dundas Gavin and Kate Gemmell Katie and James McNeill Norman and Christine Lessels p50 Mariam Batsashvili © Josef Fischnaller Flure Grossart David Millar A Grand Night for Singing (p27 & p29) Lorimer and Penelope Mackenzie p52 Barrie Kosky, Katharine Mehrling, Professor Ludmilla Jordanova Tanya and David Parker Originally produced by Roundabout Theatre Anna Magee Lonely House © Agentur Baganz Niall and Carol Lothian Fiona and Ian Russell Company, New York City, in 1993. Chris and Gill Masters p54 Thomas Quasthoff © Gregor Hohenberg Bridget and John Macaskill Finlay and Lynn Williamson Professor Alexander and p56–59 In The Tradition © Ryan Buchanan Donald and Louise MacDonald Medicine (p31) Dr Elizabeth McCall Smith p62 Anna Meredith © Gem Harris Anne McFarlane Developed with the support of the National Theatre. Ambassador Duncan and Una McGhie p64 Comet Is Coming © Fabrice Bourgelle Vivienne and Robin Menzies Francis Menotti p66–67 Kalakuta Republik Dance Workshop Keith and Lee Miller The Normal (p55) Constant Barbas and Sir Ronald and Lady Miller © Ryan Buchanan Jerry Ozaniec Supported by Edinburgh College of Art and Nicholas van Eek Dr Paul Mills p69 Edinburgh Festival Chorus © Gaelle Beri Sarah and Spiro Phanos Creative Scotland. Katy Bedford Bernard and Jane Nelson Brenda Rennie William and Elizabeth Berry Nick and Julia Parker George Ritchie Benedict Birnberg George and Lynda Pennel Françoise Robertson Robin and Lel Blair Dame Susan and Sir Duncan Rice Michael Shipley and Philip Rudge Katie Bradford Andrew and Carolyn Richmond Keith and Andrea Skeoch Carola Bronte-Stewart John D Ritchie Jim and Isobel Stretton David Caldwell in memory of Ann Eileen and Bruce Ritson Andrew and Becky Swanston Chris Carter and Stuart Donachie Ross Roberts Susie Thomson The Rt Hon Lord Clarke Lord Ross Claire and Mark Urquhart Lady Coulsfield Caroline Roxburgh Hedley G Wright Sir Sandy and Lady Crombie Sir Muir and Lady Russell Zachs-Adam Family Dr Kathleen Dalyell OBE Miss A Scott Professor Andrew Farrall and C Selkirk Alasdair Morton James Sokol Mr and Mrs Ted W Frison Bruce Stephen Celia F Goodhew Jill Stephenson Martin and Carola Gordon Sir Jack and Lady Stewart-Clark Malcolm and Avril Gourlay Dame Lorraine Veitch Rutherford Anne and John Graham Sir David and Lady Wallace Robin and Sheila Wight Join us Dr Peter J Williamson and Margaret Duffy To find out more about membership and how to support our work Ruth Woodburn please visit eif.co.uk/support-us or call +44 (0) 131 473 2064 Irené M Young

70 71 ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES VENUE EXPERIENCE

Audio Described We ask that you arrive no earlier than International Festival venues 30 minutes before a performance begins. PRODUCTION DATE & TIME VENUE Dance Base Falstaff 12 & 14 Aug 7.15pm Festival Theatre If you are using e-tickets please download 14–16 Grassmarket EH1 2JU Medicine 18 & 20 Aug 8pm Traverse Theatre them in advance so that they are available Lament for Sheku Bayoh 28 Aug 2.30pm The Lyceum offline and ensure that your phone Edinburgh Academy Junior School is sufficiently charged. 10 Arboretum Road EH3 5PL

Our pavilions, although covered, are outdoors Edinburgh Park British Sign Language Interpreted and you should come dressed appropriately Lochside Way EH12 9GG for the weather; including suitable footwear PRODUCTION DATE & TIME VENUE Festival Theatre for walking across grass. You Bury Me 14 Aug 7.30pm The Lyceum 13–29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT Medicine 18 & 20 Aug 8pm Traverse Theatre International Festival staff will be available Holyrood Park Hindu Times 21 Aug 7.30pm The Lyceum to assist you throughout your visit and to Queen’s Drive EH8 8HG Lament for Sheku Bayoh 25 Aug 7.30pm The Lyceum ensure that COVID-19 safety protocols are A Toast to the People 23–27 Aug 8pm Old College Quad being met. Please bring your own mask with Old College Quad you to performances and wear it as directed The University of Edinburgh For information about our Deaf Theatre Club visit eif.co.uk/access by staff and signage. Hand sanitiser stations South Bridge EH8 9YL will be located around our venues. Captioned Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh In the interest of eliminating places where Arboretum Place EH3 5NZ PRODUCTION DATE & TIME VENUE people can congregate, no food or drink You Bury Me 14 Aug 7.30pm The Lyceum will be available. Performances will run Talbot Rice Gallery Medicine 18 & 20 Aug 8pm Traverse Theatre without an interval; with most lasting The University of Edinburgh no more than 70 minutes. Hindu Times 21 Aug 7.30pm The Lyceum Old College South Bridge EH8 9YL Lament for Sheku Bayoh 28 Aug 2.30pm The Lyceum Toilets will be available and will be

cleaned regularly. Traverse Theatre For full details of our accessible performances programme, including details of describers and 10 Cambridge Street EH1 2ED At the end of each performance we will direct interpreters for each performance, please visit eif.co.uk/access you to leave our venues swiftly from multiple The Lyceum exits to avoid congestion. 30b Grindlay Street EH3 9AX

Access Information We appreciate your patience and ask that you please be mindful of others throughout All our venues are wheelchair accessible and assistance animals are welcome. your visit.

Detailed venue access information is available at eif co.uk/venues and in our Access Guide.

The 2021 International Festival Brochure and Access Guide are available in large print, audio CD and Braille formats on request. You can also download audio and PDF versions from eif.co.uk/access

If you have any questions you contact us on our dedicated access line +44 (0) 131 473 2056, or by email [email protected]

72 73 BOOKING INFORMATION YOUR SAFETY IS IMPORTANT TO US

How to Book Access Bookings The International Festival is working with Ticket Exchanges & Refunds the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Online eif.co.uk Phone +44 (0) 131 473 2056 Council and other relevant authorities to We call upon each person’s sense of civic Phone +44 (0) 131 473 2000 SignLive signlive.co.uk implement appropriate measures to ensure responsibility to do their part. If you or In person by appointment only the safety of our audiences, artists and the anyone in your household has had any recent Booking opens at 10am on Friday 11 June. International Festival team. These include COVID-19 symptoms, however fleeting, please Disabled people can get 30% off tickets when shorter performances without intervals, stay home for everyone’s safety. Priority booking for Members opens on booking online. If you require a wheelchair physical distancing, regular cleaning, a staggered basis from Wednesday 2 June. space or a free essential companion ticket If you are unable to attend any event at the and contactless ticketing. please contact us by phone or via SignLive. 2021 Edinburgh International Festival for We do not charge booking fees. If you choose any reason related to COVID-19, we will refund to receive your tickets in the post you will be Further information can be found online Plans will be adjusted in response to public the full cost of the ticket to the lead booker. charged £1 for postage. at eif.co.uk/access or by emailing us on health measures as they evolve. Full details of [email protected] the International Festival’s COVID-19 safety Refunds must be requested at least 24 hours in Phone Line Opening Hours measures will be published in the coming advance of the performance. Postage fees are BSL Video Bookings with SignLive months. Please visit eif.co.uk/safety for details. non-refundable. 2–13 June For extra peace of mind we’ve teamed up with Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm We are working with SignLive to enable Booking Tickets Secure My Booking to offer Ticket Protection, Sunday 12pm – 4pm audiences to book tickets via an online BSL interpreting service. Download the To minimise physical contact, our box which allows you to recoup 100% of the money 14 June – 31 July SignLive app and find us listed in the SignLive office is closed. We encourage customers you paid for your tickets if you are unable to Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm Community Directory. For more information to book online or by phone, and to select attend an event that hasn’t been cancelled or Sunday closed visit signlive.co.uk the electronic ticket option when booking rescheduled. Ticket Protection covers illness, to facilitate contactless interactions with staff accidents, travel delays, adverse weather, 2–29 August In Person Bookings at our venues. In person ticket collection strikes and more. This optional extra costs Monday to Saturday 9am – 7.30pm will not be available. £1.50 per ticket and is only available at the time To minimise physical contact, our box office Sunday 10am – 7.30pm of booking. For more information, please visit is closed. We encourage customers to book We have introduced socially distanced seating securemybooking.com Ticket Prices & Concessions online or by phone, but if you require in plans to allow households to sit together while person assistance with your booking you can remaining at a safe distance from others. Ticket prices may vary from previously arrange an appointment by contacting us on When you book online you will be asked published prices. [email protected] or +44 (0) 131 473 2000. to select a seating ’bubble’ with the correct number of seats for your group. Recipients of Pension Credit, Universal Credit The Edinburgh International Festival Box Office is based at The Hub, Castlehill, or Jobseeker’s Allowance, Full Time students, Traceability will be especially important Edinburgh EH1 2NE. Under 26s and Disabled People are entitled to this summer to help prevent community a 30% concession discount. Proof of eligibility transmission. For 21 days after your visit, may be requested at venues. Young Children Policy we may be asked to share your name and We advise that you contact us in advance to contact details with NHS Test & Protect to Supported by The Pirie Rankin Charitable Trust check if a performance is suitable for very help them identify people who may have young children. There is no charge for infants been exposed to COVID-19. under the age of two as long as the child sits on the lap of an adult, and no ticket is required. Children over the age of two will require a seat and a paid ticket. If your child becomes restless, you may be asked to leave the auditorium to All information in this brochure is avoid disturbing other customers. subject to change without notice

74 75 Wed 4 Thu 5 Fri 6 Sat 7 Sun 8 Mon 9 Tue 10 Wed 11 Thu 12

Edinburgh 6pm & 8.30pm 7.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 3pm & 7.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 7.30pm Academy The Opening Concert A Grand Night Royal Philharmonic A Grand Night Royal Scottish National A Grand Night (p39) for Singing (p27) Orchestra (p39) for Singing (p27) Orchestra and Thomas for Singing (p27) Junior School Søndergård (p39)

Edinburgh Park 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm Kathryn Joseph (p61) Tide Lines (p61) The Snuts (p61)

Festival Theatre 7.15pm 7.15pm 7.15pm Falstaff (p15) Falstaff (p15) Falstaff (p15)

The Lyceum

Niqabi Ninja by Sara Shaarawi (p25)

Old College Quad 12pm & 2.30pm 3pm 12pm & 2.30 pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm Ronald Brautigam, University of Edinburgh: Patricia Kopatchinskaja Zehetmair Quartet (p47) Mari Eriksmoen Steven Osborne (p49) Esther Hoppe A Folk Song Sharing & Fazil Said (p47) & Daniel Heide (p47) & Christian Poltéra (p47) 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm Talisk (p57) 8pm Kinnaris Quintet (p58) 8pm University of Edinburgh: RURA (p57) Dàimh (p58) Duncan Chisholm (p57) The Living Archive (p57)

Royal Botanic 8pm 8pm 8pm Garden Edinburgh Aberdeen Standard Aberdeen Standard Aberdeen Standard Investments Opening Investments Opening Investments Opening Event: Night Light Event: Night Light Event: Night Light (p6) (p6) (p6)

Talbot Rice 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm Gallery The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55)

Traverse Theatre 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 2pm Medicine (preview) Medicine (preview) Medicine (preview) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) (p31) (p31) (p31)

76 77 Fri 13 Sat 14 Sun 15 Mon 16 Tue 17 Wed 18 Thu 19 Fri 20 Sat 21

Dance Base Dancing in the Streets Dancing in the Streets (p23) (p23) 11am Omar Rajeh 11am Gregory Maqoma 1pm Janice Parker 1pm Alice Ripoll 3pm Alice Ripoll 3pm Janice Parker 5pm Gregory Maqoma 5pm Omar Rajeh

Edinburgh 3pm & 7.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 7.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm Academy A Grand Night for Singing Benedetti Baroque BBC Scottish Symphony Royal Scottish National Chineke! Orchestra Royal Scottish National London Symphony Dido’s Ghost (p13) The Soldier’s Tale (p17) (p27) Orchestra (p16) Orchestra (p41) Orchestra & Elim Chan & William Eddins (p19) Orchestra & Valery Orchestra (p19) Junior School (p41) Gergiev (p27) 7.30pm Dido’s Ghost (p13)

Edinburgh Park 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm Richard Dawson (p61) Erland Cooper (p61) Shona the Musical Choir Moses Boyd (p63) Nadine Shah (p63) black midi (p63) Anna Meredith (p63) (p61)

Festival Theatre 7.15pm Falstaff (p15)

The Lyceum 7.30pm 2.30 & 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm You Bury Me (p21) You Bury Me (p21) Hindu Times (p21) Hindu Times (p21)

Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) Old College Quad 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 5pm & 8pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 9.30pm Maxim Emelyanychev Malcolm Martineau A Great Disordered Heart Chineke! Chamber Nicola Benedetti. Elisabeth Leonskaja Goldmund Quartet (p51) Mariam Batsashvili (p51) Lonely House (p53) & Principals of the & Friends (p49) Shared Futures (p29) Ensemble (p19) The Story of the Violin (p51) Scottish Chamber (p16) 8pm 9.30pm Orchestra (p49) 8pm 8pm 8pm Jenna Reid & Harris Lonely House (p53) A Great Disordered Heart Breabach (p59) 8pm Fara (p59) Playfair with Mr McFall’s 8pm Shared Songs (p29) Ballaké Sissoko Chamber (p59) A Great Disordered Heart & Vincent Ségal (p33) Shared Melodies (p29) Talbot Rice 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm Gallery The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55)

Traverse Theatre 8pm 2pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 2pm Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31)

DIGITAL Chotto Xenos film (p25) Chotto Xenos film (p25) SCREENING

78 79 Sun 22 Mon 23 Tue 24 Wed 25 Thu 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29

Edinburgh 7.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 6pm & 8.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm Academy Dido’s Ghost (p13) Joyce DiDonato & Thomas Quasthoff Ariadne Auf Naxos (p11) Sona Jobarteh (p35) Ariadne Auf Naxos (p11) Scottish Chamber Members of the Il Pomo D’Oro (p45) Quartet (p45) Orchestra (p45) Edinburgh Festival Junior School Chorus (p45)

7.30pm Ariadne auf Naxos (p11)

Old College Quad 3pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 12pm & 2.30pm 7pm & 9.30pm Karine Polwart (p59) Gerald Finley & Julius Noa Wildschut Renée Fleming Gringolts Quartet (p55) Fatma Said & Malcolm Masterclasses with Alan Cumming is Not Drake (p53) & Elisabeth Brauß (p53) & Hartmut Höll (p53) Martineau (p55) Thomas Quasthoff (p55) Acting His Age (p33) 8pm Siobhan Miller (p59) 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 7pm & 9.30pm A Toast to the People A Toast to the People A Toast to the People A Toast to the People A Toast to the People Alan Cumming is Not (p36) (p36) (p36) (p36) (p36) Acting His Age (p33)

Edinburgh Park 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.30pm The Unthanks (p63) Black Country, New Road Damon Albarn (p65) The Comet is Coming Kokoroko (p65) Laura Mvula (p65) (p65) (p65)

The Lyceum 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.30pm & 7.30pm Lament for Sheku Bayoh Lament for Sheku Bayoh Lament for Sheku Bayoh Lament for Sheku Bayoh (p21) (p21) (p21) (p21)

Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja Niqabi Ninja by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25) by Sara Shaarawi (p25)

Traverse Theatre 8pm 2pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 2pm 6.30pm Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31) Medicine (p31)

Talbot Rice 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm Gallery The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55) The Normal (p55)

Holyrood Park 1pm 4pm Field – Something for Field – Something for the Future Now (p31) the Future Now (p31)

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