Summer 2017 sees the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh International Festival. Capital are proud supporters of the festival. This year we are delighted to sponsor a concert starring opera superstar Sir Bryn Terfel. The concert is being held on Wednesday 9th August at the Usher Hall.
Following World War 2, the international festival’s vision was to bring people together through the arts. In November 1945 the plan of the international festival was announced to the Edinburgh public through the local press. The people of Edinburgh responded with donations of coal rations to light up the castle and also opened their homes to visitors and performers. The Edinburgh International Festival consequently now sees Edinburgh welcome tens of thousands of visitors to their great city.
“The castle was lit up using Edinburgh’s private coal rations for four nights from dusk to midnight during the International Festival, and visitors felt warmly welcomed by the whole city”.
In 1950, the first fireworks display closed the international festival to the music of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks. Led by Sir Thomas Beecham, complete with marching bands and a battery of canons. This event led to the creation of the exhilarating Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. To this day the festival is still closed in outstanding fashion with the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert.
Over the years the international festival has greeted performers from throughout the world with greats such as Maria Callas, Judi Dench, Marlene Dietrich and Kenneth Branagh to name a few. The festival has also showcased home grown talent, Nicola Benedetti and Alan Cumming and many more!
Schubert, Schumann & Brahms
Now we are delighted to welcome Sir Bryn Terfel who will be performing the Schubert, Schumann & Brahms concert. Welsh born bass baritone who was knighted this year has performed with major opera companies around the world.
He will be joined by Edinburgh born pianist Malcolm Martineau. The New York Observer describes him “as one of the world’s finest accompanists” and has worked with the world’s greatest singers.
Tickets for this event are still available to buy through the Edinburgh International Festival website.
Image of Malcolm Martineau copyright © and courtesy of Malcolm Martineau
Images of Sir Bryn Terfel courtesy © of Nigel Hughes
Text quote and video courtesy of Edinburgh International Festival
Posted in CSR, Edinburgh, Special Interest
