Edinburgh International Festival 2024 Set to Ignite the Edinburgh Festival Season in its Opening Weekend

The 2024 Edinburgh International Festival begins tomorrow with the first of more than 160 events in an exhilarating 24-day celebration of opera, dance, music and theatre in Scotland's capital city.

Article Source: Edinburgh International Festival
Last Updated: 1 August 2024 11:16

• More than 2,000 internationally renowned artists from across 42 nations, including more than 1,000 Scottish artists, will perform.

• The International Festival opens with Opening Event: Where to Begin, an immersive outdoor experience in partnership with The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky. The event is set to welcome thousands in central Edinburgh, blending installation, projection and live performance for only three nights, from 2-4 August.

• First week highlights include: the world-premiere staged adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s bestselling memoir The Outrun, the Scottish premiere of Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov’s La Pasión según San Marcos, and the UK production premiere of Carmen, direct from Paris’s legendary opera house, Opéra-Comique.

• To ensure that cost isn't a barrier to cultural discovery, 2024 sees our most generous concessions policy to date: 50% of tickets for the 2024 International Festival are sold at £30 or less. More than 4,000 £10 Affordable Tickets across every event in the programme have already been allocated to those who need them, and many more are still available.

Tickets can be purchased from www.eif.co.uk

1 August, Edinburgh: Tomorrow, the Edinburgh International Festival opens its 24-day programme of more than 160 events for its 77th edition. The original festival, the one that started it all in Edinburgh, runs 2-25 August, and features a hand-picked programme of the world-leading artists in theatre, dance, music and opera, framed by the theme of ‘Rituals That Unite Us’.

More than 2,000 artists from across 42 nations will perform at the International Festival this August, in a major moment in the international arts calendar. Over 1,000 of these performers are from Scotland, and all five Scottish national performing arts companies are represented in this year’s programme.

In 2024, Festival Director Nicola Benedetti’s second year, the International Festival brings 5 world premieres, 13 UK and Scottish premieres, and 2 European premieres to Edinburgh, including an extensive opera programme, with promenade opera Oedipus Rex in the National Museum of Scotland and two staged operas from major international companies: Carmen from the Opéra Comique and The Marriage of Figaro from Komische Oper Berlin.

Kicking off the International Festival, Opening Event: Where to Begin invites nearly 10,000 visitors and locals alike to ignite their festival season with a communal experience which evokes the mythology and history of Scotland’s rich heritage. The new event in Edinburgh’s festival tradition will transform the grounds and magnificent renaissance architecture of George Heriot’s with immersive installation, live performance and video projection.

Presented in partnership with The Macallan, with creative producer Pinwheel and support from EventScotland, the Opening Event runs across three nights from
Friday 2 August to Sunday 4 August. Tickets are available online for £15 and concessions from £7.50 are available.

The first week of the International Festival also features not-to-be-missed performances from some of the world’s leading artists, including:

• The world premiere of The Outrun, the stage adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir. Brought to life by Olivier Award-winning playwright Stef Smith, director Vicky Featherstone and Edinburgh’s producing theatre The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, The Outrun will run throughout August at the Church Hill Theatre.

• The most popular French opera in the world, Carmen, direct from Opéra-Comique – the Parisian opera house where it all began. The new production of Georges Bizet's masterpiece is brought to the stage by director Andreas Homoki, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Music Director of the Opéra-Comique, Louis Langrée, with an international cast led by Gaëlle Arquez as Carmen; runs 4-8 August at the Festival Theatre.

• A two-part opening weekend exploring different ways of telling the same story, with two distinct interpretations of the Passion: Latin American and Afro-Cuban musical styles mix with contemporary classical expressions in the Scottish premiere of Osvaldo Golijov's La Pasión según San Marcos, on 3 August at Usher Hall. On 4 August at Usher Hall, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, their Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus take on Johann Sebastian Bach's masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion.

• The UK premiere of Penthesilea, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam’s production of Heinrich von Kleist’s classic. Ferocious and emotionally charged, Penthesilea is a powerful fusion of a rock concert and an ancient tragic love story, likened to Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet; runs 3-6 August at The Lyceum.

• The Scottish premiere of Please right back, award-winning company 1927’s new family production combining fantastical animations with bold storytelling to explore the effects of the criminal justice system; runs 2-11 August at The Studio.

2024’s programme also offers an increased range of innovative and informal audience experiences, designed to create a closer union between artists and audiences.

Beanbag concerts are back after popular demand, designed to immerse audiences in an orchestral experience. Inspired by the work of Budapest Festival Orchestra founder and conductor Iván Fischer, audiences can take in the thrill and drama of the orchestra from the comfort of a beanbag or choose standard seating in the circle or balcony. Beanbag seating is still available for concerts by Brazil’s Ilumina, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and the European Union Youth Orchestra conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.

The Hub, the International Festival’s home on the Royal Mile, once again hosts the most intimate performances in informal surroundings. During August, The Hub is home to The Hub Club Cafe (11am-6.30pm; food service until 5pm) & Bar (6.30pm - late), with drop-in open-doors rehearsals and ‘Ask the Artist’ moments on select days. The Hub music series is truly international – spanning Scotland, Ireland, Wales, India, China, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, US, Germany, Egypt, Estonia and West Africa, with these artists sharing their musical heritage, cultures and rituals.

Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti said:
“As we raise the curtain to open this year's Edinburgh International Festival, we’re reminded of the power of art to unite and inspire us all. One of the most moving things in the world, to me, is to see mass, collective effort at work. Each person adding their expertise and experience to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts – and this year's International Festival programme is the epitome of such a thing. I can't wait for us all to come together this month, to seek, feel and discover something new.”

The 77th Edinburgh International Festival continues to 25 August. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.eif.co.uk

Image: Opening Event: Where to Begin
Image credit: Jess Shurte

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage

James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.

Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth this December

Dynamic Earth invites families to step into a world of winter wonder, and to experience the magic of the holidays like never before.

Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for

The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!

Capital Theatres launches new partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery

Capital Theatres is delighted to celebrate the launch of a new bar partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery, a family-owned luxury distillery based in Edinburgh.

Ring in the New Year at Flight Club Edinburgh with the Ultimate Hogmanay Brunch

Flight Club Edinburgh is celebrating Hogmanay in style with a bottomless brunch to end all bottomless brunches and a gorgeous limited-edition cocktail menu.

itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter

Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.

Rediscovered Artemisia Gentileschi painting goes on display in Scotland for the first time

A rare surviving painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, the greatest female artist of her generation, is on display for visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Cafe Partners with local Dog and Cat Home for Launch of New Club to Support Pets in Need

Sip & Bark, the beloved dog-friendly café in Edinburgh, has announced a new partnership with Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home through the launch of an exclusive membership club.

The Leith Collective launches new store at Livingston Designer Outlet

The Leith Collective launches new store at Livingston Designer Outlet and invites designer fans to go green and shop sustainably this Christmas.

Edinburgh based Vittoria Group opens new Restaurant on the Royal Mile

Reimagining the coastal chippy in the midst of Scotland's capital, Edinburgh based Vittoria Group has today opened Landy's Restaurant on the Royal Mile.

Young Carers Create Exhibition of Amazing Illusions

Magical images created by young carers are on show in a special free-to-see exhibition of photographic illusions as part of Edinburgh’s 15th annual MagicFest.

Milestone photographic portraits of the Royal Family to go on show in Edinburgh

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography will chart the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day at The King’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2025.

Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives

A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.

FIRST LOOK at Donny Osmond in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

First look at production shots for the acclaimed London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring Donny Osmond as Pharoah.

New Co op store launches in Shawfair Park

The Co-op’s newest store launched today (6th December) in Shawfair Park, Edinburgh.

Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes endangered Asiatic lioness

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed eight-year-old Asiatic lioness, Bindee, from Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Mulhouse in France.

Forever Edinburgh has today announced a new charity drive for Edinburgh residents

This will see Forever Edinburgh collaborate with local tourism businesses to provide hundreds of free experiences to those most in need this festive season and beyond.

Edinburgh hotel gives 6750 plastic bottles a stylish second life

Ten Hill Place Hotel has recently unveiled new staff uniforms designed by Gresham Blake and made from recycled plastic bottles, alongside achieving 16th consecutive Green Tourism Gold Award.

Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line

A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.

Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024

Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.

TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025

50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.

A sensational year of art for everyone at National Galleries of Scotland in 2025

National Galleries of Scotland announces an unmissable programme of free and ticketed exhibitions set to take over the National, Portrait and Modern galleries in Edinburgh throughout 2025.

Warninks Advocaat brings a festive Christmas Lights recycling service to Edinburgh

The Warninks ‘swap and recycle’ initiative is a FREE bookable service which delivers a Warninks Light Technician to your door, who will deliver new Christmas lights and recycle the old.

Thistle Be a Merry Little Christmas

For one day only, on Saturday 7th December, Laura Bond and Thistle Street’s independent businesses will unite to offer exclusive holiday deals!

December at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

From a Christmas Cabaret to a Hogmanay Ball, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's festive events this December!

Mindroom Celebrates Success Of Volunteering Scheme

Edinburgh Based Neurodiversity Charity Celebrates the Impact of its Vital Volunteer Programme ahead of International Volunteers Day (December 5).

Fort Kinnaird and Cyrenians call on local community to help spread festive cheer

Fort Kinnaird has teamed up with Cyrenians to launch a ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, as part of the charity’s winter appeal to combat social isolation.

Cafe Andaluz Stockbridge reaches meatball milestone as it celebrates first birthday with Edinburgh Accies

Café Andaluz Stockbridge celebrated one year at Raeburn Place by inviting the entire Accies team to tuck into its most popular dish, Albondigas (Spanish meatballs).