Edinburgh International Festival 2016 Programme Announced

Today Festival Director Fergus Linehanunveiled the 2016 Edinburgh International Festival programme. This year’s International Festival runs from Friday 5 to Monday 29 August, welcoming 2,442 artistsfrom 36 nationsto perform in Scotland’s capital city.

Fergus Linehan said:‘The International Festival is an invitation from the people of Scotland to people from all over the world to join us in an unparalleled celebration of creativity, virtuosity and originality. The calibre, ambition and passion of the artists and ensembles in this year’s programme combined with Edinburgh’s electric Festival atmosphere, will make for an unforgettable experience for newcomers and International Festival veterans alike.’

Unveiling his second International Festival programme, Linehan revealed a rich mix of world-class artists and ensembles from across the performing arts, alongside a superb showcase of Scottish-based talent.

Unveiling his second International Festival programme, Linehan revealed a rich mix of world-class artists and ensembles from across the performing arts, alongside a superb showcase of Scottish-based talent.

Major artistsappearing in the programme include renowned Italian mezzo-sopranoCecilia Bartoli, legendary Australian satirist Barry Humphries, revered conductor Herbert Blomstedt, Oscar-nominated singer ANOHNI, world-renowned ballerina Natalia Osipova, celebrated director John Tiffany, UK ensemble Cheek by Jowl, post-rock icons Sigur Rós, celebrated Scottish actor Alan Cumming, Edinburgh’s own Mercury Prize-winners Young Fathers, leading conductor Marin Alsop, acclaimed pianist Daniil Trifonov, Senegal’s most celebrated musician Youssou N’Dourand work by choreographer Crystal Pite.

The start of Edinburgh’s festival season is celebrated with a free, public outdoor eventat 10.30pm on Sunday 7 August. Deep Timeis a digitally animated artwork using the iconic locations of Edinburgh Castle and Castle Rock as the rugged canvas for projections and illuminations inspired by the city’s past. The event explores 350 million years of Edinburgh history, uncovering the unique geology of a landscape formed by volcanic activity, while celebrating the intellectual legacy of the city andin particular James Hutton, the Edinburgh scientist and ‘father of modern geology’.

Hutton’s work greatly contributed to the evidence-based academic revolution of the Scottish Enlightenment and shifted modern thinking about how the world was formed. Deep Timeis set to a specially compiled soundtrack of music by Scottish rock band Mogwai and is produced by Tony-award winning 59 Productions, creators of the acclaimed Harmonium Projectthat launched Festival 2015. The University of Edinburgh also partner in the creation of the event, with academics from acrossthe science, arts and humanities faculties contributing.

The event is free but ticketed, with full event and booking details released on 20 June. Fergus Linehan also named 59 Productions as Associate Artists of the International Festival for the next three years: ‘59 Productions have, time and again, created innovative and compelling work in the fields of music, theatre, opera, film and visual arts while pioneering the use of new technologies. We are delighted to be working with such a remarkable group of artists over the next three years.’

The world’s foremost classical musiciansgather once more in Edinburgh with 42 concerts and recitalsin the Usher and Queen’s halls. Visiting orchestras include the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestraand the Russian National Orchestra. Major soloists performing include pianist Daniil Trifonov, who gives three concerts throughout the International Festival, Sir András Schiff, Richard Goode, Maxim Vengerovand Mikhail Pletnev, as well as world-class singers including Anja Kampe, Karen Cargill, Stuart Skeltonand Vitalij Kowaljow. On the podium, acclaimed conductors include Herbert Blomstedt, Sir Antonio Pappano, Yannick Nézét Seguin, Marin Alsop and Donald Runnicles. Outstanding choral moments bookend the Usher Hall opening and closing concerts, which feature the Edinburgh Festival Chorusperforming Rossini’s Stabat Materand Schoenberg’s rarely performed Gurrelieder.

Celebrated Director John Tiffanyreturns to Scotland with the European premiere of his production of Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie, running at the King’s Theatre for two weeks. Originally created with American Repertory Theatrein Boston, the show transferred to Broadway in2013 to huge critical acclaim; Ben Brantley of the New York Times hailed Tiffany’s ‘stunning production… which promises to be the most revealing revival of a cornerstone classic for many a year to come.’

The production stars Tony-award winning American stage and screen actor Cherry Jonesas Amanda Winfield. John Tiffany’s Black Watchfor the National Theatre of Scotland toured the world to universal acclaim and his Broadway production of the musical Oncewon eight Tony Awards. As Associate Director of the National Theatre of Scotland he directed The Bacchaeat the 2007 International Festival. John is currently in rehearsals for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, openingin London’s West End this summer, of which he is co-writer and director.

2016 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, whose work resonates throughout the programme. Three theatre companies present contrasting international perspectives on his work. Renowned theatre maker Thomas Ostermeierreturns to the International Festival with a reworking of Richard IIIin a critically acclaimed production from Berlin’s Schaubühne Theatre; Cheek by Jowl, led by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, unites with Moscow’s Pushkin Theatrefor their International Festival debuts with Measure for Measure, a compelling production which draws parallels with modern Russia. British-born director Dan Jemmettand his French-based company Eat a Crocodilebring Shake, a five-piece re-imagining of Twelfth Night. The Bard’s influence also extends through the classical music programme with Shakespearean-inspired music fromRossini, Bellini, Verdi, Berlioz, Strauss and Tchaikovskyin concerts at the Usher and Queen’s halls.

A special concert series celebrates the remarkable reach and international success of Scottish contemporary music. From post-punk to post-rock, art-school infused pop, Scots traditional and modern folk, electronica and hip hop -with some events fusing music with film and animation -these concerts shine a light on the unique character of modern Scottish music and the artists working within it. The line-up includes Lau’s Martin Greenworking with collaborators from Portishead, The Unthanks and Mogwai in the world premiere of Flit, Greg Lawson’smonumental reworking of Martyn Bennett’smasterpiece Gritwhich was originally commissioned byand premiered at Celtic Connections, Edinburgh’s Mercury Prize winning Young Fathers, Glasgow electronic artist Hudson Mohawke’sproduction work with ANOHNI and Oneohtrix Point Never, the world premiere of Wind Resistancefrom folk singer-songwriter Karine Polwart, documentary Where You’re Meant To Bewith live performance from Aidan Moffat, Scottish rock band Mogwai with a live performance of new album Atomic, the folk, jazz and classical Indian fusion of Yorkston/Thorne/Khanand a special performance from post-punk pioneer Emma Pollock. This series is supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.

The home of the International Festival, The Hub, will be thevenue for a nightly house showwhich runs throughout August, as well as hosting seven intimate concerts. One of Scotland’s best-loved artists Alan Cumming takes up residence over three weeks and20 performances, with his cabaret show, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs! Alan dispenses seductive songs and intimate stories featuringvery personal reinterpretations of the songs he loves to sing.

The International Festival continues to programme work for young people and families, including two contrasting dance pieces. Fusing dance, storytelling and interactive animation, Chotto Deshis the first family show created by Akram Khan, reworked from his Olivier Award-winning autobiographical solo show DESH. Rawis a dynamic and gritty dance theatre work from Belgium’s Kabinet K,made by young people for young people. The International Festival also continues to offer great value for young ticket buyers aged 18 and under, with a discount of 50%available on selected events from the opening of ticket sales. Students in full time education are entitled to a discount of 30% from 6 July onwards,with £8 tickets available for those aged 26 and under, on the day of performance. The International Festival’s year-round work with young people includes a three-year residency at Castlebrae Community High School, now in its second year, with workshops and events as well as a bespoke mentoring and work experience programme. This summerincludes a visit from International Festival artist Alan Cumming, to talk about his life as a performer and actor to pupils and staff at Castlebrae.

Edinburgh’s summer festival season will again be brought to a spectacular conclusion on Monday 29 Augustwith the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert. Over 400,000 fireworks will burst into the sky above Edinburgh Castle, choreographed to live music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra withEstonian conductor Kristiina Poska, continuing 2016’s Shakespearean celebrations with two interpretations of his best known love story, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Julietand the Symphonic Dancesfrom Bernstein’s classicWest Side Story. Ahead of the Fireworks Concert, there will also be a Schools Concerttaking place at the Ross Theatre inPrinces St Gardens on the morning of Monday 29 August, with school children invited from across Edinburgh to hear live music from SCO VIBE, a fusion orchestra open to young musicians aged 11–18.

Festival 2016

Operain 2016 sees staged productions from two of Europe’s leading arts festivals. The Salzburg Festival’s internationally acclaimed reimagining ofBellini’sNorma, stars world-renowned mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoliin the title role and opens the International Festival programme. Film and stage directorChristophe Honoré brings a new production of Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, direct from the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, in co-production with Opéra de Lilleand Edinburgh International Festival, with the Cape Town Opera Chorus andFreiburger Barockorchester. Opera in concert at the Usher Hall features the Mariinsky Orchestra andValery Gergiev with Wagner’s Das Rheingold, the first of four concert performances of the operas which make up the epic Ring Cycle, performed by a series of internationally acclaimed orchestras and singers over four International Festivals from 2016 to 2019.

Dance this year brings more big names to Edinburgh. The International Festival has co-produced the revival of seminal dance work monumental, which brings together two of Canada’smost uncompromising performing arts groups, contemporary dance group The Holy Body Tattooand post-rock pioneers Godspeed You! Black Emperor. First created in 2005, the piece originally featured nine dancers performing to a recording by the band. In 2016 the band features live on stage, bringing a new visceral energy to the piece. Godspeed You! Black Emperor also play a one-off gig at the Playhouse as part of their visit. Multi award-winning Russian ballerina Natalia Osipovamoves from classical to contemporary as she and her company of dancers –including Ukrainianballet star Sergei Polunin-perform three brand new dance works created for her by choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphantand Arthur Pita. Scottish Balletreturns to the International Festival with a double bill of major contemporary dance works from internationally acclaimed choreographers Crystal Pite and Angelin Preljocaj, Emergence and MC 14/22 (Ceci est mon corps).

In theatre, John Tiffany’sversion of American classic The Glass Menagerie, a major hit on Broadway, comes to the King’s Theatre for a two week run. The 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s deathis marked with three internationally acclaimed productions –Measure for Measurefrom Declan Donnellan’s Cheek by Jowl andMoscow’s Pushkin Theatre, Thomas Ostermeier and the Schaubühne Theatre’s Richard IIIand Shake–a re-imagining of Twelfth Nightfrom director Dan Jemmett. New work is showcased with a world premiere from National Theatre of Scotland andThe TEAMwith Anything That Gives Off Light, and a new commission The Toad Knewfrom multifaceted creator and performer James ThierréeandCompagnie du Hanneton. The International Festival also continues to showcase successful Scottish work for an International audience, with two special Festival revivals from theatre company Vanishing Point, which re-mounts Interiors andThe Destroyed Room.

In classical music, visits from world-leading orchestras include theOrchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Ceciliawith conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzigconducted by Herbert Blomstedt, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestrawith Yannick Nézét Seguin, the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskäand the Russian National Orchestra with conductor Kirill Karabits. Major soloists performing include the precociously talented young pianist Daniil Trifonov, Sir András Schiff, Maxim Vengerovand Mikhail Pletnev, as well as world-class singers including Anja Kampe, Karen Cargill, Stuart Skelton, Danielle de Nieseand Vitalij Kowaljow. On the podium, acclaimed American conductor Marin Alsopmakes her International Festival debut with the São Paulo Symphony Orchestraand Edinburgh-born Donald Runniclesperforms with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestrafor the very last time as their Principal Conductor.

The BBC SSO also performs with conductor Matthias Pintscherin a Festival celebration of the late Pierre Boulez. This very special event celebrateshis 56-year relationship with the International Festival as one of its closest and most cherished contributors. Outstanding choral moments bookend the Usher Hall in the opening and closing concerts, which feature the Edinburgh Festival Chorusperforming Rossini’s Stabat Materand Schoenberg’s rarely performed Gurrelieder. In between, audiences can enjoy Sir John Eliot Gardiner and theMonteverdi Choirperforming Bach’s St Matthew Passion; the might of Elgar’s The Apostlesperformed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestrawith conductor Edward Gardnerand an outstanding cast featuring Karen Cargilland the superb voices of the NYCoS National Girls Choir; and the Scottish Chamber Orchestraperforming Berlioz’sRoméo et Julietteunder the baton of its Principal Conductor Robin Ticciati, with mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená. Both the Usher and Queens’ hall programmes include a number of the world’s leading pianists. Mikhail Pletnevsteps away from the conductor’s podium to appear with the Russian National Orchestra, Boris BerezovskyplaysRachmaninovwith the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia their second concert, Sir András Schiffjoins the Gewandhausorchester Leipzigwith a programmeof Beethoven and Mendelssohn,Stephen Hough andRichard Goodereturn to The Queen’s Hall in recital,and young American piano prodigy George Limakes his International Festival debut.

Daniil Trifonovgives three concerts: a recital featuring Liszt and Rachmaninovin The Usher Hall; Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1 with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestraand conductor Daniel Harding, and a Queen’s Hall double-bill of Rachmaninov featuring a special ensemble of players which includes his own teacher Sergei Babayan. The 2016 programme also features a concert in Greyfriars Kirk, where the Hebrides Ensembleand tenor Christian Elsnerperform Hans Zender’sremarkable transformation of Schubert’s Winterreise for voice and ensemble.

Music from the early 20th century, including jazz, chansonand cabaret performance, is showcased across the programme, featuring songs drawn from Weimer Germany, Belle Époque Paris and down-town New York. Legendary Australian performer Barry Humphriesleads an evening of music from the time of the Weimar Republic, joined by cabaret star Meow Meowand the Australian Chamber Orchestra. In The Queen’s Hall series, baritone Simon Keenlysideperforms music from the early 20th century featuring works by Gershwin, Berlin, Weill and Kern, whilst French soprano Patricia Petibonexplores Belle Époque Paris through song, chanson and piano music by Satie, Poulenc, Fauré, Hahn, Bernstein and Gershwinamongst others. And at The Hub, Alan Cumminghosts his cabaret residency throughout August, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs!

The 2016International Festival builds on the contemporary music programme of last year. Legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dourreturns to the UK to perform at the Usher Hall; Canadian post-rock band God Speed You! Black Emperorplay a one-off concert as well as providing the live soundtrack to dance piece monumental; Icelandic superstars Sigur Rósplay two nights at the International Festival in a rare visit to the Scotland; and multi-instrumentalist and composer Yann Tiersen –best known for his soundtrack tothe hit film Amelie–performs two intimate concerts at The Hub.

Following the success of 2015’s project Fanfare, the International Festival extends its programme across the city by inviting Edinburgh to get singing. Songlinesis a citywide celebration ofshared song taking place throughout the day on Sunday 21 Augustwith opportunities to join in or simply enjoy listening to communal singingin unexpected places. Further information about venues, timings and songs included will be released in July.

Festival Insightsthis year include a special event commemorating the centenary of the Easter Rising and independence struggle in Ireland. Before the Hudson and the Liffeyexplores the life of James Connolly, one of the leaders of the Easter Rising, but also anEdinburgh man. This special event brings together actors, musicians and commentators for reflections on his life.

For a second year, the International Festival partners with BBC Arts onlineto present Artists Conversations, streamed live online and later available to a wider audience through BBC iPlayer. Free tickets are available to each event, which are recorded in front of a studio audience. Featured artists andbooking details are announced in July. In the meantime, the 2015 Artist Conversations are stillavailable online, where you can join Sylvie Guillem, Juliette Binoche, Simon McBurneyand Robert Lepagein conversation from last year’s Festival.

The International Festival is one of the world’s largest and most diverse curated festivals, as well asone of the most accessible, offering a range of discounts and affordable entry price tickets. The International Festival continues to attract people from across the globe, expecting its audiences to travel from around 70 nationsthis year to be part of the global cultural celebration in Edinburgh.

In 2016, this celebration includes the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, a biennial event that brings together culture ministers, artists, thinkers and arts leaders from around the world. The theme of Summit 2016 is Culture: Building Resilient Communities, highlighting the vital role that culture plays in the life of any successful community. Artists taking part include 2016 International Festival artist Youssou N’Dour, a former Minister for Culture in his native Senegal.

Leonie Bell, Director of Arts at Creative Scotland said: ‘The 2016 programme for the Edinburgh International Festival is an exciting mix of the classical and the contemporary, when artists and audiences from Scotland and the world will come together across venues and sites throughout Edinburgh to share in a magnificent 3 weeks, filled with dance, music, opera and theatre.

‘Through its commitment to programming the very best of the world’s performing arts, Edinburgh International Festival continues to act as a powerful contributor to the cultural, social and economic life of the City of Edinburgh and its status as a global city through bringing international talent of the highest calibre and renown to local audiences and visitors in Scotland, and showcasing home grown artistic talent to the world.’

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said:‘The ongoing success of the Edinburgh International Festival speaks for itself and in 2016 audiences can look forward to an incredibly variedmix of performances. By celebrating art in all its forms, the International Festival opens up the world of culture to thousands. This year, the event will continue to create new audiences by working with the city’s schools and our communities while offering the most ardent festival-goer something new.

‘Following last year’s beautiful Harmonium Projectat the Usher Hall, this year’s opening event will yet again wow audiences. Celebrating 350 million years of Edinburgh’s historyand set to a soundtrack by Scotland’s own Mogwai, Deep Timeat Edinburgh Castle will be a phenomenal, free experience to be enjoyed by all.’

Tickets for all events at the International Festival go on sale on Saturday 16 April at 10am,unless signed up for priority booking which opens on Wednesday 6 April at 10am.