According to festival sources, this year's Edinburgh International Festival features the largest presentation of American artists in its history. The festival theme 'All Rise' marks the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. The opening concert is a 200-performer show called 'All Rise' written by Wynton Marsalis for the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra.
Festival director Nicola Benedetti stated, 'It is the largest presentation of American artists in the history of the festival so it's a huge, a very definitive statement. ' Benedetti added that this year's festival will showcase American art that celebrates US creativity and energy while exposing its cruelty and hypocrisy. She also noted that Donald Trump's explosive second term as president makes showcasing American art more important than ever.
It is the largest presentation of American artists in the history of the festival so it's a huge, a very definitive statement. Quite simply, this is the precise time that it is ideal, urgent, necessary, perfect to be telling the type of story we're telling.
The festival includes American-themed events such as a collaboration between Yuja Wang and Marsalis's orchestra, San Francisco Ballet's first Edinburgh show in 20 years, and Los Angeles Philharmonic's final shows before Gustavo Dudamel departs. The festival features five world premieres and eight specially commissioned works. Wynton Marsalis's Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra will be in residence throughout the festival.
This will be Marsalis's final season before stepping down as director of the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra. The festival's productions explore themes of freedom, innovation, ingenuity, leadership, cruelty, prejudice, perseverance, and hypocrisy, according to Benedetti. The specific events exploring the Aids crisis and racist lynchings have not been detailed.
Within 24 hours, my relationship to its wild, abrasive, exuberant, heart-filled yet harsh ferocity was sealed.
The festival's full lineup of American artists and performances also remains unspecified.