| Edinburgh International Festival - Edinburgh | 19 April 2024 |
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Duke Bluebeard's Castle
Götterdämmerung
Breaking the Waves
Siegfried
Il barbiere di Siviglia
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L'incoronazione di PoppeaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A Monteverdi journey ends with Poppea |
 20 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
a magnificent conclusion to Gardiner’s celebratory Monteverdi opera trilogy |
| 20 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
Thrilling Poppea cements Gardiner’s greatness in epic Festival feat |
| 19 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patriaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A very satisfying performance |
| 20 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
‘Sheer beauty’: Il Ritorno d’Ulisse is another triumph for Gardiner’s Monteverdi Trilogy |
| 19 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
Gardiner gathered together a superb line-up of singer |
| 18 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
L'OrfeoEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Gardiner’s ’fresh, dynamic’ L’Orfeo makes for a compellingly theatrical experience |
| 19 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
Monteverdi takes centre stage at the Edinburgh International Festival |
| 17 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
Krystian Adam was outstanding as an emotionally sensitive, and determined, Orfeo |
| 17 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
Peter GrimesEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A superb cast and huge forces thrill in Bergen Opera’s minimalist staging of Britten’s masterpiece |
| 19 Aug 17 / The Guardian |
Stuart Skelton is Peter Grimes at the Edinburgh International Festival |
| 17 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
The night belonged to Stuart Skelton as Peter Grimes |
| 17 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Edward Gardner and the Bergen Phil storm the Edinburgh Festival with a powerful Peter Grimes |
| 16 Aug 17 / Bachtrack |
Another glorious triumph |
| 16 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
A tumultuous reception for Britten’s masterpiece |
| 15 Aug 17 / Telegraph |
Die WalküreEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
RSNO need no set to light Valkyrie’s fire |
| 14 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
Memorable and epic Die Walküre at Edinburgh International Festival |
| 9 Aug 17 / Bachtrack |
Wagner en terres anglophones |
| 9 Aug 17 / Forum Opéra |
more reviews [+]
Bryn Terfel’s capacity as Wotan continues to be admirable |
| 9 Aug 17 / Classical Source |
Terfel’s complex Wotan evoked the spirit of Shakespeare’s King Lear |
| 8 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
A little magic in the air: Davis conducts the RSNO in a thrilling Die Walküre |
| 8 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
Quite a ride! |
| 8 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
GreekEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Alex Otterburn as the Oedipal Stuart, trying to escape from Fate and Tuffnell Park, was devastating and terrifying |
| 14 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
Cockney opera mixes the baleful and the banal |
| 8 Aug 17 / Financial Times |
Who would have thought ketchup and beans could feature so garishly in an opera or symbolise so much? |
| 8 Aug 17 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
Bold and tacky |
| 8 Aug 17 / The Stage |
The real clincher in this production is Hill-Gibbons’ focus on psychology rather than epoch |
| 8 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
The evening belongs to Alex Otterburn's Eddy |
| 7 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
Re-unveiling of EIF’s past glory is mesmerising when it works |
| 7 Aug 17 / Telegraph |
Oedipus opera update as relevant and risque as ever |
| 7 Aug 17 / The Guardian |
For Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Alex Otterburn the central role of Eddy is a huge achievement |
| 6 Aug 17 / The Herald |
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 |
| 12 Aug 17 / Telegraph |
The orchestra sets the scene brilliantly from Fischer’s first down beat |
| 11 Aug 17 / The Scotsman |
The devil is in the detail |
| 11 Aug 17 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Ivan Fischer's singular vision leaves his singers in limbo |
| 11 Aug 17 / The Guardian |
Così fan tutteEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Performances were strong across the board |
| 30 Aug 16 / The Arts Desk |
This production is uncomfortable and often unpleasant to watch |
| 28 Aug 16 / The Herald |
Mozart's frothy opera turns nasty |
| 27 Aug 16 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
Racial and sexual abuse should shock audiences, not the titillation |
| 27 Aug 16 / The Conversation |
Grown-up and intelligent |
| 27 Aug 16 / The Opera Critic |
This staging of Così fan tutte is a scandal – but not because of the nudity |
| 27 Aug 16 / Telegraph |
EIF’s Così fan tutte explores the opera’s darker side in an unsettling sexual manner |
| 27 Aug 16 / Seen and Heard |
Points made, but underlined in red: a superbly performed Edinburgh Così fan tutte – for adults |
| 27 Aug 16 / Bachtrack |
Brutal, challenging production that uses a sublime account of Mozart's music to nail home its point |
| 26 Aug 16 / The Stage |
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.
Das RheingoldEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | |
A concert Rheingold full of emotional flow |
| 18 Aug 16 / The Opera Critic |
Valery Gergiev dirige L'Or du Rhin au Festival International d'Edimbourg |
| 18 Aug 16 / Opera Online (French) |
Das Rheingold with a Russian flavour from Gergiev and Mariinsky Opera |
| 17 Aug 16 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Mariinsky Rheingold a promising start to Edinburgh Festival’s concert Ring |
| 17 Aug 16 / Bachtrack |
A powerful, authoritative performance that never flagged throughout its intimidating duration |
| 17 Aug 16 / The Herald |
NormaEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Bartoli's emotional Norma |
| 8 Aug 16 / The Opera Critic |
The fiery Italian mezzo owned the stage as Bellini’s vengeful priestess |
| 8 Aug 16 / The Guardian |
"Hell hath no fury": Cecilia Bartoli in Norma at the Edinburgh International Festival |
| 8 Aug 16 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Triumph for classic opera with an anti-fascist twist |
| 7 Aug 16 / The Herald |
It was a close-run thing - but Cecilia Bartoli's Norma is a furious triumph |
| 7 Aug 16 / Telegraph |
Dramatically strong |
| 7 Aug 16 / The Stage |
associated articles [+]
Edinburgh International Festival reveals first 2016 production
The Salzburg Festival's production of Bellini's Norma will open the opera section, with Cecilia Bartoli in the title role.
The Salzburg Festival's production of Bellini's Norma will open the opera section, with Cecilia Bartoli in the title role.
Die ZauberflöteEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
The Magic Flute has never made more cartoonish sense |
| 3 Sep 15 / The Spectator |
Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s production will have you rolling in the aisles |
| 1 Sep 15 / WOW247 |
Lost in animation |
| 31 Aug 15 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
The Magic Flute pays homage to the era of silent films |
| 31 Aug 15 / Seen and Heard |
Cute, but never sublime |
| 29 Aug 15 / Telegraph |
A "non-stop visual treat to accompany Mozart's strange fairytale" |
| 29 Aug 15 / What's on Stage |
The Magic Flute as silent movie, marrying many styles and eras with masterfully delivered music |
| 29 Aug 15 / The Stage |
All the makings of a classic |
| 29 Aug 15 / The Guardian |
Komische Oper’s Die Zauberflöte enchants at the Edinburgh Festival |
| 29 Aug 15 / Bachtrack |
associated articles [+]
Barrie Kosky
'When I first saw The Magic Flute, I didn't get it and I didn't like it'
'When I first saw The Magic Flute, I didn't get it and I didn't like it'
HMS PinaforeEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Joyless, stifled and stilted |
| 25 Aug 15 / The Guardian |
The audience was clearly enthralled throughout |
| 25 Aug 15 / Edinburgh Guide |
Starry casting in Edinburgh’s HMS Pinafore |
| 25 Aug 15 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Having fun at the Festival |
| 24 Aug 15 / The Opera Critic |
Le nozze di FigaroEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
The pace, ease and fun of the evening was contagious |
| 25 Aug 15 / Edinburgh Guide |
Even the best Stravinsky can’t beat mediocre Mozart |
| 20 Aug 15 / The Spectator |
Top-rank singers bring emotional power to Mozart’s Figaro |
| 19 Aug 15 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
A high energy Figaro |
| 17 Aug 15 / The Opera Critic |
Without heart |
| 15 Aug 15 / Telegraph |
Fischer's innovative take on Mozart |
| 15 Aug 15 / The Guardian |
The Rake's ProgressEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Even the best Stravinsky can’t beat mediocre Mozart |
| 20 Aug 15 / The Spectator |
A performance that enchanted from start to finish |
| 18 Aug 15 / WOW247 |
A joyous Rake's Progress |
| 17 Aug 15 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Concert performance of The Rake’s Progress feels operatic |
| 17 Aug 15 / Seen and Heard |
Too good to be true: A very fine Rakes Progress at the Edinburgh International Festival |
| 15 Aug 15 / Bachtrack |
A rare, tender Stravinsky staging |
| 14 Aug 15 / The Guardian |
The Last HotelEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Seedy menace |
| 14 Aug 15 / Telegraph |
A searingly powerful new chamber opera |
| 12 Aug 15 / The Guardian |
Darkly compelling examination of suicide and loneliness |
| 12 Aug 15 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
New Dennehy/Walsh opera tackles assisted suicide |
| 12 Aug 15 / Seen and Heard |
World première of The Last Hotel at the Edinburgh Festival |
| 12 Aug 15 / Bachtrack |
A new opera from Enda Walsh proves a coup for the EIF |
| 11 Aug 15 / What's on Stage |
Thoughtful and life enhancing |
| 10 Aug 15 / The Opera Critic |
Les TroyensEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Mariinsky Opera's Yannis Kokkos delivers a stylised Berlioz production |
| 2 Sep 14 / The List |
The production for the Mariinsky Opera lacks cohesion, but the orchestral playing is magnificent |
| 1 Sep 14 / Financial Times |
Mariinsky without the magic |
| 30 Aug 14 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
A tale of two cities, and two women |
| 30 Aug 14 / The Opera Critic |
A rough-and-ready performance of Berlioz's neoclassical epic fails to stir |
| 30 Aug 14 / Telegraph |
Russians bearing gifts: Mariinsky Opera brings Les Troyens to the Edinburgh Festival |
| 30 Aug 14 / Bachtrack |
Russian stars bring rich operatic highlight to last week of Edinburgh Festival |
| 29 Aug 14 / The Arts Desk |
Guillaume TellEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 4 | |
A pin-sharp performance |
| 29 Aug 14 / The Opera Critic |
William Tell brims with a palpable sense of relevance |
| 29 Aug 14 / Bachtrack |
Noseda does justice to Rossini's freedom fighter |
| 28 Aug 14 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
Hugely enjoyable |
| 28 Aug 14 / Telegraph |
Owen WingraveEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Bringing out the universality of Owen Wingrave |
| 18 Aug 14 / The Opera Critic |
Crack team perform Owen Wingrave |
| 18 Aug 14 / Seen and Heard |
Neil Bartlett's production of Britten's opera is timely and moving |
| 18 Aug 14 / What's on Stage |
American LuluEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
A tedious and pointless production, saved by the singing |
| 4 Sep 13 / Opera Britannia |
The material does nothing to endear its audience |
| 3 Sep 13 / The Stage |
Olga Neuwirth’s new staging of Alban Berg’s masterwork is neutered and confused |
| 3 Sep 13 / Financial Times |
more reviews [+]
Short of convincing |
| 3 Sep 13 / Edinburgh Festival Guide |
Olga Neuwirth’s new interpretation of Alban Berg’s unfinished Lulu failed on every count |
| 3 Sep 13 / Independent |
Olga Neuwirth's reinterpretation of Alban Berg's opera Lulu must be judged a fairly comprehensive failure |
| 2 Sep 13 / The Herald |
A hypocritical exercise |
| 2 Sep 13 / The Opera Critic |
This update turns Lulu from an inexplicable force of nature to just another product of politics |
| 2 Sep 13 / Telegraph |
Olga Neuwirth's misfiring reinterpretation of Alban Berg's unfinished opera is little improved by this new production |
| 2 Sep 13 / The Guardian |
associated articles [+]
Alban Berg's Lulu turns freedom fighter
Lulu is one of opera's most astonishing characters, a femme fatale who manipulates and murders her way to a terrible end. Now she's been turned into a black American freedom fighter, singing to a jazz score.
Lulu is one of opera's most astonishing characters, a femme fatale who manipulates and murders her way to a terrible end. Now she's been turned into a black American freedom fighter, singing to a jazz score.
Duke Bluebeard's CastleEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
It's been a tough week for the women of opera |
| 2 Sep 13 / Independent |
Unconventional pairing, but an enthralling double bill |
| 28 Aug 13 / Opera Britannia |
Complexity is created through simplicity in both of Oper Frankfurt’s shimmering offerings |
| 28 Aug 13 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
Frankfurt Opera drew out the connections between these two apparently disparate works |
| 28 Aug 13 / Financial Times |
A lavish Dido and an austere Bluebeard |
| 28 Aug 13 / The Herald |
Odd pairing of Purcell and Bartók operas |
| 27 Aug 13 / Seen and Heard |
An emotion-packed performance |
| 27 Aug 13 / Edinburgh Guide |
Unusual bedfellows |
| 26 Aug 13 / The Opera Critic |
Frankfurt Opera's stylish and astutely directed double bill succeeds in shining new light on both Bartók and Purcell |
| 26 Aug 13 / The Guardian |
Dido and AeneasEdinburgh International FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | 
| |
It's been a tough week for the women of opera |
| 2 Sep 13 / Independent |
Unconventional pairing, but an enthralling double bill |
| 28 Aug 13 / Opera Britannia |
Complexity is created through simplicity in both of Oper Frankfurt’s shimmering offerings |
| 28 Aug 13 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
Frankfurt Opera drew out the connections between these two apparently disparate works |
| 28 Aug 13 / Financial Times |
A lavish Dido and an austere Bluebeard |
| 28 Aug 13 / The Herald |
Odd pairing of Purcell and Bartók operas |
| 27 Aug 13 / Seen and Heard |
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Performance schedule
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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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