We’ve been out and about, soaking in the atmosphere alongside you. Here’s a glimpse of the week gone by and what you absolutely shouldn’t miss in the days to come.

Week One was packed with unforgettable performances. The Bamberger Symphoniker, our first residency of the Festival, transformed the Usher Hall with renditions of Gustav Mahler, Antonín Dvořák and Josef Suk. Over at the Playhouse, Grupo Corpo mesmerised audiences, while Penthesilea shook the Lyceum with a bold, contemporary retelling of the Greek tragedy.

Friday night at our first Up Lates of the season featured a surprise performance from jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, accompanied by his outstanding quartet with guest appearances by Oni Marsalis and Brazilian bandolim virtuoso Hamilton de Holanda. Catch the highlights and more on Instagram.

The Wynton Marsalis performance launched our Up Lates series, a selection of special nights at the Hub where celebrated unannounced guest curators and international artists keep audiences up late and entertained into the night. Sky Arts joined us to document the performance, which will be broadcast 1 October at 10pm, alongside another Up Lates (16 August) which will be broadcast on 24 September.

Our next Up Lates features a trailblazing force in the Celtic music scene on 16 August at 10:30pm. We can't say any more at the moment. But there are some tickets remaining! 😉

Week one also featured five-star performances (The Scotsman) for Songs of the Bulbul by Aakash Odedra and spontaneous standing ovations at Cosi fan Tutti (★★★★★The Times). Last night we were treated to the first performance of Oedipus Rex, a promenade opera production by Scottish Opera.

What not to miss this week

The Marriage of Figaro

Check out these production shots. This Mozart classic is made contemporary by the acclaimed Komische Oper Berlin and director Kirill Serebrennikov, known for his daring, satirical productions.

The Marriage of Figaro is at Festival Theatre Friday 16 – Sun 18 Aug.

Ilumina Residency

Catch the dynamic Ilumina on their summer tour. The second of our residency orchestras in our programme, this Brazillian ensemble is not one to be missed.

On Wednesday 14 Aug at 2pm you can relax on a beanbag as the Ilumina ensemble explores movement, rhythm and non-classical forms around you in Exploring Ilumina. This immersive performance gives you a rare insight into the inner workings of their musical process. At 8pm on Wednesday you can expect a theatrical performance of In The Light Of Shadow, unlike classical music as you may know it!

Or join us at our home, The Hub, for their Thursday night performance, Musicians from Ilumina, where the musicians perform a repertoire of lively popular brasileira música.

Kammerorchester Basel

Two women composers of the Romantic era hold the spotlight in this imaginative concert of 19th-century music.

Catch the Kammerorchester Basel on Tue 20 Aug at 8pm at Usher Hall.

AND GIGS

We have plenty of contemporary music gigs coming up:

@nadineshah on Thu 22 Aug 8.30pm
@batforlashes on 23 Aug 8.30pm
@catpowerofficial on Sun 18 Aug at 8pm
@lisaoneillmusic on Wed 21 Aug at 8.30pm

We look forward to seeing you soon at the Edinburgh International Festival.

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