THE programme for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival was launched yesterday, with Sir Ian McKellen and Jarvis Cocker among the stars heading to the Scottish capital.
The 72nd edition of the festival will run from August 2 to 26.
Actor McKellen will perform extracts from his best-loved roles and recall moments from his life and career over four dates at the Assembly Hall. Cocker will perform at Leith Theatre which will also host concerts by artists including
Anna Calvi, Kate Tempest, Neneh Cherry, Sharon Van Etten and Teenage Fanclub.
The festival will open with the Los Angeles Philharmonic performing film soundtracks at a free concert for 15,000 people at Tynecastle Park, where the programme was launched.
Festival director Fergus Linehan said: “At the end of the first Edinburgh International Festival in 1947, conductor Bruno Walter wrote that it succeeded because ‘it was of the utmost importance and most to be desired that all the ties, which had been torn, should be re-united’.
“The 2019 International Festival launch is framed against a backdrop of division and confusion.
“With artists and audiences from all over the world gathering to celebrate each other’s music, theatre, dance and art, we hope that the 2019 International Festival will offer a refreshing dose of generosity, inclusiveness and optimism”.
The city will also welcome Stephen Fry performing Mythos: A Trilogy, based on his best-selling book, as well as two Berlin opera houses in Komische Oper Berlin and Deutsche Oper Berlin. Scottish Ballet, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary season, will have the world premiere of its production of The Crucible at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Glasgow actor James McArdle will star in Peter Gynt at the Festival Theatre.
“Edinburgh’s culture and communities convener, Councillor Donald Wilson, said: “With such a mix of community events and Scottish artists, and a truly international programme of opera, dance and theatre this looks like it’s going to be one of the most exciting Festival programmes yet.”
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