Festival ties flourish in spectacular style
The University is partnering with Edinburgh International Festival for its awe-inspiring opening event, Bloom.
A series of spectacular illuminations and projections are set to delight audiences, blossoming in a city-centre location on Friday 4 August 2017.
The event is part of the newly unveiled programme, which marks the world-famous festival’s 70th anniversary.
Edinburgh International Festival 2017 programme
Epic artwork
The Standard Life Opening Event: Bloom is an epic, free, outdoor artwork that celebrates Edinburgh’s transformation into the world’s Festival City.
The light show will chart the explosion of colour, vibrancy and optimism that came hand-in-hand with the arrival of the Festival in 1947.
This is the third year that the University has collaborated with the Festival and its award-winning production company, 59 Productions, to create a spectacular opening show.
Previous events – Deep Time and the Harmonium Project – enchanted audiences of almost 30,000.
Musical highlights
The University’s St Cecilia’s Hall – the oldest purpose-built concert hall in Scotland – will host a series of concerts, tailor-made for the historic venue.
The 18th-century Georgian hall and music museum was closed in 2012 for a £6.5-million redevelopment project and is set to reopen in May.
The distinctive, oval concert room will provide a remarkable backdrop for a programme of classical and early-music concerts.
Musicians will perform with some of the exquisite instruments from the University’s world-class keyboard collection.
Iranian-American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahni will play on the 1769 double-manual Taskin harpsichord – the most famous of its kind in the world. Renowned keyboard player Richard Egarr will play a selection of early English music on harpsichords from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Festival encounters
The University and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland are offering a five-day programme for ambitious producers, programmers, creative artists and performers.
This unique summer school develops artistic entrepreneurial skills in the context of the Edinburgh International Festival.
Those taking part can attend festival events, and engage with inspiring artists, directors and producers.
Participation includes tickets to key Edinburgh International Festival events. There will also be opportunities for participants to present their own ideas to visiting professionals.
Deadline for entry is Friday 30 June. For more information, visit the Festival Encounters website.
Star attraction
The University is supporting a concert with world-famous violinist and honorary graduate, Nicola Benedetti.
The acclaimed Scottish musician will join the Budapest Festival Orchestra to play Brahm’s Violin Concerto.
The event will take place on 10 August in the Usher Hall.
Cultural conversations
The University’s Institute for International Cultural Relations will hold its first programme, investigating what led to the creation of the world’s biggest arts festival 70 years ago.
The week-long Global Cultural Fellows programme features workshops, presentations and discussions, which explore the cultural interests and values of festivals.
Applications for this year’s programme are now closed.
Staff offers
University staff are entitled to a discount for ticketed shows.
A 25 per cent ‘Corporate Friends’ discount will be available on all tickets, subject to availability and excluding the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert tickets.
To apply for the discount, staff must first sign up to the Corporate Friends distribution list