An Inspired Start to an Incredible Festival

The Opening Concert: Buddha Passion

I love the Edinburgh International Festival. It has to be one of the biggest and best cultural festival in the world, with inspired programming from a number of festival directors over the years.

This year’s festival sees the internationally-acclaimed violinist, Nicola Benedetti, taking on the prestigious role. It can’t be easy taking over from someone else and stamping your mark on the festival when acts and performers are booked years in advance. However, this year does see some exciting additions.

On Saturday 5th August will see this year’s opening concert: Buddha Passion, composed by Tan Dun, who is more famous for the score to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Having watched some previews, this promises to be a mesmerising performance which incorporates a mix of traditional Chinese music and theatricality, set alongside western orchestrations and making full use of large choruses from both the RSNO Youth Choir and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

Chen Yining is a young musician and dancer and will be part of the soloists ensemble playing the traditional Chinese instrument, the Pipa. She was a delight to meet and beautiful to photograph. I look forward to seeing her perform on stage.

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