Edinburgh International Festival - Edinburgh | 5 March 2021 |
You've been granted free access to this page.
Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.
Free access
Performance reviews
Key | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
The Telephone (online)Edinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() ![]() |
Daisy Evans’s delightful update of The Telephone crowns engaging online treats from Edinburgh |
![]() |
Scottish Opera’s take on Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Telephone is the musical highlight of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival |
![]() |
A delicious bite-sized chunk of romantic opera |
![]() |
Eugene OneginEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() |
Le Komische Oper de Berlin ébranle Edimbourg avec Eugene Onegin |
![]() |
The night belonged to the Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian |
![]() |
Phénoménale Asmik Grigorian |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Michael Nagy's Onegin dominates the second cast |
![]() |
Grigorian's riveting Tatyana steals the show |
![]() |
A warmly observed, humane Eugene Onegin in Edinburgh |
![]() |
Asmik Grigorian wows as Tatyana in Komische Oper Eugene Onegin in Edinburgh |
![]() |
An unforgettable staging |
![]() |
This production is as good as opera gets |
![]() |
West Side StoryEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
A Edimbourg, John Eliot Gardiner dirige West Side Story! |
![]() |
Adieu Kiri, adieu José |
![]() |
A quite unforgettable experience |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Finger-clicking good |
![]() |
Bernstein's musical is out of step in concert hall |
![]() |
The SCO were as raunchily tuned into the Latin American pizzazz as they were meltingly sensuous |
![]() |
GötterdämmerungEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
A triumphant end to the Festival's concert Ring |
![]() |
A truly fabulous end to the Edinburgh International Festival’s Ring |
![]() |
Together with the pungency of the RCS Voices, this was a cast to die for |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Christine Goerke proves that she is mistress of Wagner's music |
![]() |
Outstanding end to festival's mighty Ring cycle |
![]() |
Andrew Davis’s Götterdämmerung ends the 2019 Edinburgh Festival in a blaze of glory |
![]() |
Manon LescautEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Sondra Radvanovsky shines as the tragic heroine, Manon Lescaut |
![]() |
Deutsche Oper Berlin’s Manon Lescaut was pretty darn good in Edinburgh |
![]() |
Breaking the WavesEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
Missy Mazzoli’s opera based on Lars von Trier’s film triumphs in its European premiere |
![]() |
Von Trier's bleak drama feels lost in translation |
![]() |
Troubling opera based on Lars von Trier’s film |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Mazzoli’s luminous Breaking the Waves receives European premiere in Edinburgh |
![]() |
A ponderous new opera from Missy Mazzoli |
![]() |
In Edinburgh Breaking the Waves restores faith in opera as an art form |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
Missy Mazzoli: 'Breaking the Waves' deals with big ideas
Adapting Lars von Trier’s provocative 1996 film about faith and loyalty in an insular Scottish community was the first challenge. Bringing it to Scotland is the next.
Adapting Lars von Trier’s provocative 1996 film about faith and loyalty in an insular Scottish community was the first challenge. Bringing it to Scotland is the next.
Orfeo ed EuridiceEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Iestyn Davies and Sophie Bevan seductive in Orfeo ed Euridice |
![]() |
Gluck’s music was the star attraction |
![]() |
La CenerentolaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() |
El Festival Internacional de Edimburgo pone a sobre las tablas a La Cenerentola más feminista |
![]() |
It proved difficult to resist a panto version of Rossini’s Cinderella |
![]() |
An impeccably sung production |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Opera de Lyon will leave you giggling like a schoolgirl |
![]() |
Comic direction to savour from Stefan Herheim |
![]() |
A superb yet gloriously silly production |
![]() |
Cinderella has a ball with exuberant panto kitsch |
![]() |
Park your hierarchical concerns in the foyer and enjoy this production as a jolly tale that delivers some good laughs |
![]() |
A surrealist romp with shades of Monty Python |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
Q & A: Mezzo Michèle Losier
On her first Rossini role and Edinburgh Festival.
On her first Rossini role and Edinburgh Festival.
The Beggar's OperaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() |
Robert Carsen encuentra el equilibrio en Edimburgo |
![]() |
A Beggar’s Opera that beggars belief in Edinburgh |
![]() |
Baroque meets jukebox musical in a wryly topical Beggar’s Opera at EIF |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Kaleidoscopically multi-layered, with cultural references that effortlessly span over three centuries |
![]() |
The production harbours a brilliance which is untameable but definitely refreshing |
![]() |
No matter how many lines of coke are snorted or expletives spat out, there’s no real sting in this Beggar for the Brexit era |
![]() |
Seriously out of touch |
![]() |
The original jukebox musical reimagined |
![]() |
A scabrous, virulent, gleefully profane production |
![]() |
A high-energy show |
![]() |
Catch The Beggar’s Opera at the EIF if you can |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
A Beggar's Opera for our times
John Gay’s 18th century satire is a work whose essential remit is to confront the uncomfortable. How is Robert Carsen’s take dealing with the homeless crisis, Brexit and the #metoo movement?
John Gay’s 18th century satire is a work whose essential remit is to confront the uncomfortable. How is Robert Carsen’s take dealing with the homeless crisis, Brexit and the #metoo movement?
Interview: Robert Carsen
Almost three centuries on from its creation, The Beggar’s Opera is still as relevant, meaningful and adaptable as ever.
Almost three centuries on from its creation, The Beggar’s Opera is still as relevant, meaningful and adaptable as ever.
Hansel und GretelEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
An atmospheric concert version of Hansel und Gretel |
![]() |
It was Thomas Blondelle who nearly stole the show as the Witch |
![]() |
SiegfriedEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Sir Mark Elder brings a lifetime of Wagner experience to Hallé’s EIF Siegfried |
![]() |
The singing cast was as full of star turns |
![]() |
The Hallé comes to the fore in a glorious Siegfried |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
The Hallé are now playing with world-class finesse |
![]() |
Il barbiere di SivigliaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
Stylish, but adrift from the real world |
![]() |
Tales from the stave |
![]() |
A surreal, superficial show |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
The virile energy of this performance mostly compensates for what is missing |
![]() |
Clever and playful |
![]() |
Despite a fussy staging, a lot about Théâtre des Champs-Élysées’s Barber works |
![]() |
A warm-hearted and entertaining production |
![]() |
Engaging Rossini revamp is a crowd-pleasing romp |
![]() |
La bohèmeEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Triumphant love scenes and clever staging enhance a production that only shines on occasion |
![]() |
Puccini's melodies warm up the harsh urban setting |
![]() |
A great show but these modern-day updates are getting tedious |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Ensemble work of the highest order |
![]() |
MacbethEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() ![]() |
Un exorcismo necesario |
![]() |
Teatro Regio’s festival Macbeth was inventive but incoherent |
![]() |
Gianandrea Noseda and Turin’s Teatro Regio convey the full force of Verdi’s first Shakespeare opera |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Striking but not always convincing |
![]() |
Opulent Turin Macbeth arrives at Edinburgh International Festival |
![]() |
Blessed with musical power but lacks detail |
![]() |
A musically satisfying spectacle |
![]() |
Dalibor Jenis delivers a powerful performance in the title role |
![]() |
The production is strong in choreography and invokes Grigorovich’s ballets |
![]() |
High camp, dark drama and more than a hint of Game of Thrones |
![]() |
Authentic Italian rawness and energy |
![]() |
La Damnation de FaustEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Sir Mark Elder leads Hallé in sensational-sounding Faust |
![]() |
A dramatic and engaging reading of Berlioz' Faust tale |
![]() |
L'incoronazione di PoppeaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
A Monteverdi journey ends with Poppea |
![]() |
a magnificent conclusion to Gardiner’s celebratory Monteverdi opera trilogy |
![]() |
Thrilling Poppea cements Gardiner’s greatness in epic Festival feat |
![]() |
Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patriaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
A very satisfying performance |
![]() |
‘Sheer beauty’: Il Ritorno d’Ulisse is another triumph for Gardiner’s Monteverdi Trilogy |
![]() |
Gardiner gathered together a superb line-up of singer |
![]() |
L'OrfeoEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Gardiner’s ’fresh, dynamic’ L’Orfeo makes for a compellingly theatrical experience |
![]() |
Monteverdi takes centre stage at the Edinburgh International Festival |
![]() |
Krystian Adam was outstanding as an emotionally sensitive, and determined, Orfeo |
![]() |
Peter GrimesEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
A superb cast and huge forces thrill in Bergen Opera’s minimalist staging of Britten’s masterpiece |
![]() |
Stuart Skelton is Peter Grimes at the Edinburgh International Festival |
![]() |
The night belonged to Stuart Skelton as Peter Grimes |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Edward Gardner and the Bergen Phil storm the Edinburgh Festival with a powerful Peter Grimes |
![]() |
Another glorious triumph |
![]() |
A tumultuous reception for Britten’s masterpiece |
![]() |
Die WalküreEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
RSNO need no set to light Valkyrie’s fire |
![]() |
Memorable and epic Die Walküre at Edinburgh International Festival |
![]() |
Wagner en terres anglophones |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Bryn Terfel’s capacity as Wotan continues to be admirable |
![]() |
Terfel’s complex Wotan evoked the spirit of Shakespeare’s King Lear |
![]() |
A little magic in the air: Davis conducts the RSNO in a thrilling Die Walküre |
![]() |
Quite a ride! |
![]() |
GreekEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
Alex Otterburn as the Oedipal Stuart, trying to escape from Fate and Tuffnell Park, was devastating and terrifying |
![]() |
Cockney opera mixes the baleful and the banal |
![]() |
Who would have thought ketchup and beans could feature so garishly in an opera or symbolise so much? |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Bold and tacky |
![]() |
The real clincher in this production is Hill-Gibbons’ focus on psychology rather than epoch |
![]() |
The evening belongs to Alex Otterburn's Eddy |
![]() |
Re-unveiling of EIF’s past glory is mesmerising when it works |
![]() |
Oedipus opera update as relevant and risque as ever |
![]() |
For Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Alex Otterburn the central role of Eddy is a huge achievement |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
Opera director Joe Hill-Gibbins: How I got an Oepidus complex
The ancient myth speaks to us still, and, through the prism of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s hard-hitting opera Greek, the director of a new production found insights, strange beauty and football chants.
The ancient myth speaks to us still, and, through the prism of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s hard-hitting opera Greek, the director of a new production found insights, strange beauty and football chants.
Don GiovanniEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
A stripped-down production in more ways than one |
![]() |
The orchestra sets the scene brilliantly from Fischer’s first down beat |
![]() |
The devil is in the detail |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Ivan Fischer's singular vision leaves his singers in limbo |
![]() |
Così fan tutteEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() |
Performances were strong across the board |
![]() |
This production is uncomfortable and often unpleasant to watch |
![]() |
Mozart's frothy opera turns nasty |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Racial and sexual abuse should shock audiences, not the titillation |
![]() |
Grown-up and intelligent |
![]() |
associated articles [+]
Another fight at the opera in Cosi Fan Tutte row over wages
The South African production of Mozart’s masterpiece Cosi Fan Tutte ran into further trouble when it transferred to France.
The South African production of Mozart’s masterpiece Cosi Fan Tutte ran into further trouble when it transferred to France.
Edinburgh Festival offers refunds before ‘extreme’ opera opens
The Edinburgh International Festival has taken the unprecedented step of offering refunds for one of its flagship operas before it is even staged in the city due to its extreme content.
The Edinburgh International Festival has taken the unprecedented step of offering refunds for one of its flagship operas before it is even staged in the city due to its extreme content.

Reviews search
Performance schedule
No future performances found
News & Articles
Edinburgh International Festival announces virtual program |
Karen Cargill, Anne Sofie von Otter, Florian Boesch and Soraya Mafi lead Edinburgh International Festival summer digital edition. |
![]() |
Edinburgh International Festival cancelled |
The five festivals that take place over August - the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh Book Festival, the Edinburgh Art Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo - have all been cancelled. |
![]() |
Edinburgh International Festival 2018: classical music and opera |
The opera programme features three staged productions across ten performances at the Festival Theatre and King’s Theatre, and two concert performances at the Usher Hall. |
![]() |
What 70 years of the Edinburgh Festival has done for the arts |
Sir Rudolph Bing, co-founder and first director of the Edinburgh International Festival, once said: “The opera always loses money. That’s as it should be. Opera has no business making money.” |
![]() |
EIF 2017 looks to a bright flowering of the human spirit |
The Edinburgh International Festival has announced the biggest programme of opera the Festival has mounted in many years. |
![]() |