| Edinburgh International Festival - Edinburgh | 20 April 2024 |
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Duke Bluebeard's Castle
Götterdämmerung
Breaking the Waves
Siegfried
Il barbiere di Siviglia
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Performance reviews
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TannhäuserEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
The instrumental music was flawless |
 29 Aug 23 / The Herald |
Runnicles’ semi-staged Wagner sounds celestial |
| 28 Aug 23 / The Guardian |
A classy performance with textures and contrasts throughout |
| 28 Aug 23 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Donald Runnicles returns to Scotland with his top German company |
| 27 Aug 23 / The Arts Desk |
Duke Bluebeard's CastleEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A life-affirming production of Bartók's dark opera |
| 27 Aug 23 / The Opera Critic |
A production that proves once again that the alleged absence of opera in this year’s Festival programme was much exaggerated |
| 25 Aug 23 / The Herald |
The Threepenny OperaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Barrie Kosky’s bold Threepenny Opera delights at the Edinburgh International Festival |
| 22 Aug 23 / Bachtrack |
An audacious new look at Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s ‘play with songs’ |
| 21 Aug 23 / The Herald |
A brutal, bittersweet romance performed with sardonic humour, pace, passion and dramatic punch |
| 21 Aug 23 / Edinburgh Guide |
more reviews [+]
It’s pure Kosky |
| 21 Aug 23 / The Scotsman |
A slick, sophisticated performance |
| 21 Aug 23 / The Opera Critic |
Authentic but unengaging Threepenny Opera from Barrie Kosky and the Berliner Ensemble in Edinburgh |
| 21 Aug 23 / Seen and Heard |
Slippery antihero is effortlessly seductive in adventurous staging |
| 20 Aug 23 / The Guardian |
Quite simply astounding |
| 20 Aug 23 / What's on Stage |
A lively and vigorous show that breathes new life into Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s classic |
| 20 Aug 23 / LondonTheatre1 |
Die ZauberflöteEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Emelyanychev and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra make Mozart magical in Edinburgh |
| 15 Aug 23 / Bachtrack |
This performance had the sort of luxury casting the Festival can be relied upon to provide |
| 14 Aug 23 / The Herald |
A fun-filled performance |
| 14 Aug 23 / The Opera Critic |
SaulEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
The Edinburgh Festival's Saul needs a more operatic approach |
| 27 Aug 22 / The Opera Critic |
SalomeEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
The striptease is all Strauss’s in the Bergen Philharmonic’s expertly revealing Salome |
| 21 Aug 22 / The Observer |
Salome as Scandi noir |
| 16 Aug 22 / The Opera Critic |
Salome stoked to red heat by Byström, Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic in Edinburgh |
| 16 Aug 22 / Bachtrack |
FidelioEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Beethoven's only opera could well be a metaphor for current times and Philharmonia did it stirring justice |
| 12 Aug 22 / The Scotsman |
A Fidelio that combines humour and darkness |
| 12 Aug 22 / The Opera Critic |
RusalkaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Sumptuous rendition of a watery fable |
| 12 Aug 22 / The Arts Desk |
Romaniw is absolutely at the top of her game |
| 10 Aug 22 / The Herald |
Garsington Opera bring their strong Rusalka production to Edinburgh |
| 10 Aug 22 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
This Rusalka is as good as it gets |
| 9 Aug 22 / The Opera Critic |
Rusalka faced some challenges in a new venue but was ultimately a highlight of the EIF’s opening weekend |
| 8 Aug 22 / The Scotsman |
Ariadne auf NaxosEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Socially distanced, semi-staged Ariadne auf Naxos in Edinburgh showcases Brenda Rae’s standout Zerbinetta |
| 3 Sep 21 / Seen and Heard |
Strauss’s music does the talking |
| 31 Aug 21 / The Guardian |
Less is more in this stylish performance |
| 27 Aug 21 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Edinburgh International Festival closes in style with a terrific Ariadne auf Naxos |
| 27 Aug 21 / Bachtrack |
Dido's GhostEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Errollyn Wallen offers a new take on an old story |
| 23 Aug 21 / The Opera Critic |
Errollyn Wallen’s original and highly effective take on Dido and Aeneas |
| 23 Aug 21 / Seen and Heard |
With Dido’s Ghost, the composer Errollyn Wallen does Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas a great service |
| 22 Aug 21 / The Scotsman |
FalstaffEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Much to enjoy in Scottish Opera’s new Falstaff at the Edinburgh International Festival |
| 14 Aug 21 / Seen and Heard |
Despite some strong solo performances, Scottish Opera’s Falstaff fails to raise many laughs |
| 10 Aug 21 / The Scotsman |
Scottish Opera’s Falstaff delights at the Edinburgh International Festival |
| 10 Aug 21 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
A lively Falstaff deserving of a full house |
| 10 Aug 21 / The Opera Critic |
associated articles [+]
Sir David McVicar returns to Scottish Opera with new Falstaff
McVicar clearly demonstrates his palpable passion for his forthcoming staging of Verdi’s last opera Falstaff, which he is directing in a co-production for Scottish Opera and Santa Fe Opera in the United States.
McVicar clearly demonstrates his palpable passion for his forthcoming staging of Verdi’s last opera Falstaff, which he is directing in a co-production for Scottish Opera and Santa Fe Opera in the United States.
The Telephone (online)Edinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Daisy Evans’s delightful update of The Telephone crowns engaging online treats from Edinburgh |
| 25 Aug 20 / The Guardian |
Scottish Opera’s take on Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Telephone is the musical highlight of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival |
| 11 Aug 20 / The Scotsman |
A delicious bite-sized chunk of romantic opera |
| 11 Aug 20 / Bachtrack |
Eugene OneginEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Le Komische Oper de Berlin ébranle Edimbourg avec Eugene Onegin |
| 3 Sep 19 / Classique c'est cool! |
The night belonged to the Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian |
| 25 Aug 19 / The Observer |
Phénoménale Asmik Grigorian |
| 21 Aug 19 / Forum Opéra |
more reviews [+]
Michael Nagy's Onegin dominates the second cast |
| 19 Aug 19 / The Opera Critic |
Grigorian's riveting Tatyana steals the show |
| 17 Aug 19 / The Guardian |
A warmly observed, humane Eugene Onegin in Edinburgh |
| 17 Aug 19 / Seen and Heard |
Asmik Grigorian wows as Tatyana in Komische Oper Eugene Onegin in Edinburgh |
| 17 Aug 19 / Bachtrack |
An unforgettable staging |
| 17 Aug 19 / Telegraph |
This production is as good as opera gets |
| 17 Aug 19 / The Herald |
West Side StoryEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A Edimbourg, John Eliot Gardiner dirige West Side Story! |
| 31 Aug 19 / Classique c'est cool! |
Adieu Kiri, adieu José |
| 12 Aug 19 / Forum Opéra |
A quite unforgettable experience |
| 8 Aug 19 / The Herald |
more reviews [+]
Finger-clicking good |
| 7 Aug 19 / The Opera Critic |
Bernstein's musical is out of step in concert hall |
| 7 Aug 19 / The Guardian |
The SCO were as raunchily tuned into the Latin American pizzazz as they were meltingly sensuous |
| 7 Aug 19 / The Scotsman |
GötterdämmerungEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A triumphant end to the Festival's concert Ring |
| 29 Aug 19 / The Opera Critic |
A truly fabulous end to the Edinburgh International Festival’s Ring |
| 29 Aug 19 / Bachtrack |
Together with the pungency of the RCS Voices, this was a cast to die for |
| 27 Aug 19 / The Scotsman |
more reviews [+]
Christine Goerke proves that she is mistress of Wagner's music |
| 27 Aug 19 / Telegraph |
Outstanding end to festival's mighty Ring cycle |
| 27 Aug 19 / The Guardian |
Andrew Davis’s Götterdämmerung ends the 2019 Edinburgh Festival in a blaze of glory |
| 27 Aug 19 / Seen and Heard |
Manon LescautEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Sondra Radvanovsky shines as the tragic heroine, Manon Lescaut |
| 26 Aug 19 / The Opera Critic |
Deutsche Oper Berlin’s Manon Lescaut was pretty darn good in Edinburgh |
| 24 Aug 19 / Seen and Heard |
Breaking the WavesEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Missy Mazzoli’s opera based on Lars von Trier’s film triumphs in its European premiere |
| 25 Aug 19 / The Observer |
Von Trier's bleak drama feels lost in translation |
| 23 Aug 19 / The Guardian |
Troubling opera based on Lars von Trier’s film |
| 23 Aug 19 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
Mazzoli’s luminous Breaking the Waves receives European premiere in Edinburgh |
| 23 Aug 19 / Bachtrack |
A ponderous new opera from Missy Mazzoli |
| 23 Aug 19 / The Opera Critic |
In Edinburgh Breaking the Waves restores faith in opera as an art form |
| 22 Aug 19 / Seen and Heard |
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 |
| 17 Aug 19 / The Opera Critic |
Gluck’s music was the star attraction |
| 17 Aug 19 / The Scotsman |
La CenerentolaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
El Festival Internacional de Edimburgo pone a sobre las tablas a La Cenerentola más feminista |
| 5 Sep 18 / Opera World (Spanish) |
It proved difficult to resist a panto version of Rossini’s Cinderella |
| 2 Sep 18 / The Observer |
An impeccably sung production |
| 1 Sep 18 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
Opera de Lyon will leave you giggling like a schoolgirl |
| 27 Aug 18 / The Herald |
Comic direction to savour from Stefan Herheim |
| 27 Aug 18 / Bachtrack |
A superb yet gloriously silly production |
| 27 Aug 18 / The Opera Critic |
Cinderella has a ball with exuberant panto kitsch |
| 27 Aug 18 / The Guardian |
Park your hierarchical concerns in the foyer and enjoy this production as a jolly tale that delivers some good laughs |
| 27 Aug 18 / The Times |
A surrealist romp with shades of Monty Python |
| 26 Aug 18 / Telegraph |
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 |
| 29 Aug 18 / Opera World (Spanish) |
A Beggar’s Opera that beggars belief in Edinburgh |
| 23 Aug 18 / The Spectator |
Baroque meets jukebox musical in a wryly topical Beggar’s Opera at EIF |
| 21 Aug 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Kaleidoscopically multi-layered, with cultural references that effortlessly span over three centuries |
| 19 Aug 18 / The Herald |
The production harbours a brilliance which is untameable but definitely refreshing |
| 19 Aug 18 / The Edinburgh Reporter |
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 |
| 18 Aug 18 / The Times |
Seriously out of touch |
| 18 Aug 18 / The Stage |
The original jukebox musical reimagined |
| 18 Aug 18 / The Guardian |
A scabrous, virulent, gleefully profane production |
| 18 Aug 18 / Telegraph |
A high-energy show |
| 17 Aug 18 / The Opera Critic |
Catch The Beggar’s Opera at the EIF if you can |
| 17 Aug 18 / Seen and Heard |
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 |
| 17 Aug 18 / The Opera Critic |
It was Thomas Blondelle who nearly stole the show as the Witch |
| 17 Aug 18 / The Herald |
SiegfriedEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Sir Mark Elder brings a lifetime of Wagner experience to Hallé’s EIF Siegfried |
| 10 Aug 18 / Seen and Heard |
The singing cast was as full of star turns |
| 10 Aug 18 / The Herald |
The Hallé comes to the fore in a glorious Siegfried |
| 10 Aug 18 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
The Hallé are now playing with world-class finesse |
| 10 Aug 18 / Telegraph |
Il barbiere di SivigliaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Stylish, but adrift from the real world |
| 9 Aug 18 / Telegraph |
Tales from the stave |
| 8 Aug 18 / Bachtrack |
A surreal, superficial show |
| 8 Aug 18 / The Times |
more reviews [+]
The virile energy of this performance mostly compensates for what is missing |
| 8 Aug 18 / The Scotsman |
Clever and playful |
| 8 Aug 18 / The Stage |
Despite a fussy staging, a lot about Théâtre des Champs-Élysées’s Barber works |
| 7 Aug 18 / Seen and Heard |
A warm-hearted and entertaining production |
| 7 Aug 18 / The Opera Critic |
Engaging Rossini revamp is a crowd-pleasing romp |
| 7 Aug 18 / The Guardian |
La bohèmeEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Triumphant love scenes and clever staging enhance a production that only shines on occasion |
| 30 Aug 17 / The Stage |
Puccini's melodies warm up the harsh urban setting |
| 28 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
A great show but these modern-day updates are getting tedious |
| 28 Aug 17 / Telegraph |
more reviews [+]
Ensemble work of the highest order |
| 28 Aug 17 / The Times |
MacbethEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 11 | |
Un exorcismo necesario |
| 30 Aug 17 / Opera World (Spanish) |
Teatro Regio’s festival Macbeth was inventive but incoherent |
| 27 Aug 17 / The Times |
Gianandrea Noseda and Turin’s Teatro Regio convey the full force of Verdi’s first Shakespeare opera |
| 26 Aug 17 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
Striking but not always convincing |
| 23 Aug 17 / Financial Times |
Opulent Turin Macbeth arrives at Edinburgh International Festival |
| 22 Aug 17 / Bachtrack |
Blessed with musical power but lacks detail |
| 22 Aug 17 / The Stage |
A musically satisfying spectacle |
| 22 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
Dalibor Jenis delivers a powerful performance in the title role |
| 22 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
The production is strong in choreography and invokes Grigorovich’s ballets |
| 21 Aug 17 / Classical Source |
High camp, dark drama and more than a hint of Game of Thrones |
| 20 Aug 17 / The Guardian |
Authentic Italian rawness and energy |
| 20 Aug 17 / Telegraph |
La Damnation de FaustEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Sir Mark Elder leads Hallé in sensational-sounding Faust |
| 22 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
A dramatic and engaging reading of Berlioz' Faust tale |
| 22 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
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News & Articles
| Nicola Benedetti appointed new director of Edinburgh Festival |
On October 1, 2022, she will become Festival Director, and will be the first woman and Scottish person to hold the position since the festival began in 1947. |
| 4 Mar 2022 / OperaWire |
| Edinburgh International Festival preview |
Three operas, and only one staged, form part of this year's Edinburgh International Festival. |
| 3 Jun 2021 / The Scotsman |
| Edinburgh International Festival plans outdoor return for 2021 |
Organisers hope outdoor pavilions and shorter performances will make event ‘relatively bulletproof.’ |
| 14 Apr 2021 / The Guardian |
| Edinburgh International Festival announces virtual program |
Karen Cargill, Anne Sofie von Otter, Florian Boesch and Soraya Mafi lead Edinburgh International Festival summer digital edition. |
| 4 Aug 2020 / OperaWire |
| 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. |
| 2 Apr 2020 / Edinburgh Guide |
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