Nicola Benedetti's American Inspiration
Nicola Benedetti developed a deep affection for the United States at the age of 16. The Ayrshire-born violinist, freshly crowned BBC Young Musician of the Year, shared an airport taxi with a stranger who engaged the driver in a spirited debate on philosophy, religion, and the economy.
"Within 24 hours, my relationship to its wild, abrasive, exuberant, heart-filled yet harsh ferocity was sealed,"
Benedetti reflects on that formative experience.
Now, twenty-two years later, she places America at the heart of her fourth programme as director of the Edinburgh International Festival.
All Rise: Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence
The festival's theme, All Rise, commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence and features the largest assembly of American artists since the festival's inception in 1947.
Among the distinguished participants is Benedetti's husband, Wynton Marsalis, whose Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) will maintain a residency throughout the festival.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's Legacy
The JLCO was established 40 years ago by Marsalis alongside surviving members of Duke Ellington's legendary band.
"These were all people I'd only heard on records and the idea you could just phone them up and they'd turn up in the rehearsal room?"
"You're in your 20s and they're in 60s and 70s but boy, when they came into the room and talked about the music, boy, there were sparks."
One of these "hip grandpas," as Marsalis affectionately calls them, was Scotland's Joe Temperley.
Temperley, a saxophonist from Cowdenbeath, had performed with Ellington since the 1960s and spent 25 years with the JLCO until his passing in 2016 at age 86.
"When Joe was in the band we picked songs for him to play, especially when we came to Scotland. He was salty, he was not a touchy-feely kind of guy so he was always trying to deflect attention,"
"Even now we can't play certain songs without tearing up thinking of Joe. He had so much integrity and feeling about the music."
Marsalis's Final Season and Tribute
This festival season will also mark Marsalis's final tenure as director of the orchestra.
"Playing is always personal but it has added significance for me because of the history we have with Scotland and of course with Nicky and her vision,"
"Having a chance to be part of her vision is great and we're honoured to be there."
The opening concert will feature Marsalis's symphonic work All Rise, which includes 200 singers and musicians. The piece blends African chant, New Orleans parade music, gospel, and Latin American styles.
Originally commissioned and premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1999, the conductor was Kurt Masur, a German who was conscripted as a teenager during World War II.
Masur served as a paratrooper and was one of only 27 survivors from a 150-strong unit, captured by Allied forces in May 1945.
Shared Humanity Through Music
Marsalis notes the profound impact Masur's wartime experiences had on his life and musical direction.
"He said we had to understand the seriousness of pursuing that vision of coming together to celebrate common humanity,"
"All Rise has that triumphant feeling and affirmation of our common humanity in spite of the tribulations and pitfalls."
Despite their differing musical backgrounds, Marsalis and Benedetti share a commitment to the transformative power of music and music education, especially in challenging times.
"With music, everything is different but also the same,"
"It's important, especially in times of turmoil and strife, that we keep sight of our common humanity and use that in our contemporary struggles."
A Celebration of American Diversity and Creativity
This year's festival programme offers a platform to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the United States.
"America is a big place with 350 plus million people all babbling over their identity and their agency and those struggles create interesting patterns,"
"We need more of our music around our world, it's such an important key to contemporary conversations."
Benedetti echoes this sentiment, viewing the programme as a call to artists and audiences alike.
"It's our belief that through artistic endeavour we will see each other more truthfully and more tolerantly,"
"The American story is filled with innovation and ingenuity, perseverance and prejudice. Tensions that have fuelled some of the most extraordinary artistic achievements in history."
Orchestras and Theatre Highlights
Two additional orchestras will be in residence at the festival: the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the latter conducted by Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel.
Dudamel is well known in Scotland for his involvement with the El Sistema orchestral education programme.
The newly renovated King's Theatre will reopen with two productions reflecting on America: Internationaal Theater Amsterdam's five-hour rendition of Tony Kushner's Angels in America and Geoff Sobelle's Clown Show.
Brazilian actor Wagner Moura, Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee for his role in the political thriller The Secret Agent, will lead a contemporary adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People.
Scottish Opera will present the world premiere of The Galloping Cure, a work addressing the global opioid crisis.
Family and Community Engagement
Family-oriented events include the Scottish premiere of Hostile, a one-man Spaghetti Western by French theatre company Bakélite, and a family concert featuring the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA).
This concert is a collaboration with their Scottish counterparts, Big Noise, also conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Both Dudamel and Benedetti have supported Sistema Scotland since its inception in 2008.
Festival Details
The 2026 Edinburgh International Festival will run from 7 to 30 August. General ticket sales commence on Thursday, 26 March, with early access for members and supporters starting Thursday, 19 March.
