John Adams and Lee Breuer among Edinburgh International Festival 2010 highlights

This article is from 2010.

The Wooster Group - Vieux Carre

As the programme is launched for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, we cast an eye over the highlights

Spirit and ambition: just two of the words used by EIF director Jonathan Mills to describe this year’s festival programme. Boasting a large contingent from the opposite side of the globe, as well as a roster of home-grown talent, this year’s line-up welcomes theatre from North, South and Central America, dance from the Pacific Rim and opera from Australia and Central America.

In theatre, Elevator Repair Service present a world premiere of Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, the tale of young Americans journeying across Europe looking for redemption; closer to home, the National Theatre of Scotland showcases Alistair Beaton’s Caledonia directed by Anthony Neilson. Other highlights include Vieux Carre from EIF favourites The Wooster Group (pictured) and the welcome return of Lee Breuer with The Gospel at Colonus.

As part of the opera strand, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess will be sung in English in a multi-media production by the Opera de Lyon while The Orchestra of Scottish Opera will present Puccini’s La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West). In dance, prepare yourself for Tempest Without a Body from Mau, with choreography from Samoan Lemi Ponifasio, as well as the marvellous Alonzo King Lines Ballet, who will present two pieces.

Across at the Queen’s Hall works from North and South American and Australasian composers will be played by some of Europe’s masters, including solo performances from Caracas-born Edicson Ruiz on the double bass and young up-and-comer Jonathan Biss on piano. Other highlights include violinist Midori who makes her festival debut with a programme of Beethoven, Brahms and more – look out to for her collaboration with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, also on the programme. A concert of John Adams’ El Nino opens proceedings.

See our full listings for the Edinburgh International Festival.

EIF runs from 13 Aug–5 Sep, www.eif.co.uk