Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival is a big arts celebration that happens every year in Edinburgh, Scotland, during the last three weeks of August. It brings together amazing performers from all around the world, especially in classical music and the performing arts. You can also find beautiful visual art shows, fun talks, and workshops.

The very first festival, called the 'International Festival of Music and Drama,' started on 22 August and ended on 11 September in 1947. It was led by Rudolf Bing, a famous person from Austria who loved bringing great art to people. The first festival had many kinds of shows like orchestra music, singing, opera, ballet, plays, movies, and even traditional Scottish music and dancing near Edinburgh Castle.

The festival has happened every year since 1947, except in 2020 when it had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, there was a smaller version of the festival to keep the magic alive.

Festival directors

The Edinburgh International Festival has had many leaders since it began. Some of the directors include Sir Rudolf Bing, who helped start the festival, and Sir Brian McMaster, who led for many years. The festival is currently led by Nicola Benedetti, a talented Scottish-Italian violinist.

Creation of the festival

After the Second World War, some people thought it would be good to bring people together through art. Rudolf Bing, who worked at the Glyndebourne Opera Festival, had the idea of creating a big festival in the UK. He wanted to use music and drama to help heal after the war.

The first money for the festival came from Lord Rosebery, who used winnings from his horse Ocean Swell. The city of Edinburgh and groups like the Arts Council of Great Britain also helped with funds. Rudolf Bing and others decided Edinburgh was the perfect place for this festival because of its beautiful views, like its castle, which reminded him of another famous festival city. They planned to start the festival in 1947.

Features of the festival

The first Edinburgh International Festival took place in August and September in 1947. It stayed on this schedule until 2015, when it moved to only August to match another festival nearby.

Classical music

See also: Musicians at the Edinburgh International Festival, 1947–1956; Musicians at the Edinburgh International Festival, 1957–1966; and Musicians at the Edinburgh International Festival, 1967–1976

Classical music has always been a big part of the festival. The first season included concerts by the Vienna Philharmonic, led by Bruno Walter.

Many famous musicians performed at the festival over the years. These included conductors, pianists, violinists, and singers from around the world.

Opera

See also: Opera at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1947–1956; Opera at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1957–1966; and Opera at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1967–1976

Opera has been a key part of the festival since it began. Because Edinburgh did not have its own opera houses, guest companies from around the world were invited to perform.

Ballet

See also: Ballet at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1947–1956; Ballet at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1957–1966; and Ballet at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1967–1976

Ballet started at the festival with performances by Margot Fonteyn and the Sadler's Wells Ballet Company. Other famous ballet companies also performed over the years.

Drama

See also: Drama at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1947–1956; Drama at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1957–1966; and Drama at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1967–1976

Drama has always been important at the festival. British theatre companies such as The Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company were early supporters.

Companies from many countries performed at the festival, bringing a variety of plays and styles.

Visual arts

See also: Visual Arts at the Edinburgh International Festival, 1947–1976

Visual arts became part of the festival in 1949. Major exhibitions took place at the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy, featuring artists such as Rembrandt, Monet, and Renoir.

World premieres

See also: World premieres at the Edinburgh International Festival

Many important works had their first performances at the Edinburgh International Festival, including plays by T. S. Eliot and music by James MacMillan.

Festival venues

The main places where the Edinburgh International Festival happens include:

• Usher Hall, a big concert hall built in 1914, used by the festival since 1947.
• Kings Theatre, opened in 1906, famous for theatre and opera. It is currently closed for renovation.
• Royal Lyceum Theatre, opened in 1883, mainly used for drama.
• The Edinburgh Playhouse, Britain’s largest theatre, opened in 1929.
• Festival Theatre, dating back to 1892, used for opera and ballet.
• The Queen's Hall, a concert hall opened in 1979, home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
• The Hub, a special building used as the festival’s central office and a performance venue since 1999. It was originally a church built between 1842 and 1844.
• The Dunard Centre, a new concert hall expected to open soon.

Other places that have been used in the past include:

• Church Hill Theatre, built in 1892.
• Freemasons' Hall, opened in 1912, used for small concerts.
• Gateway Theatre, built in 1882, once used for drama but now student housing.
• General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland, used for drama since 1949.
• Leith Theatre, used for concerts until it closed in 1988.
• St Cecilia's Hall, a historic concert hall from 1763.

Other festivals in Edinburgh

Edinburgh hosts about ten festivals around the same time as the International Festival. Together, they are called the Edinburgh Festival or Edinburgh Festivals.

The most famous is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which began as a small part of the International Festival and has grown into the world's largest arts and media festival. The Edinburgh International Film Festival started in August 1947 with documentary films but later moved to June. The Edinburgh International Book Festival began in 1966, thanks to John Calder, Richard Demarco, and Jim Haynes, who started a bookstore and theatre. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo started in 1950 and features piping and dancing. All together, these festivals bring more than 2,500 performances and events to Edinburgh each August, making it one of the biggest arts gatherings in the world.