Talks and Discussions 2012

2012

Talks and Discussions at the Festival eif.co.uk

Talks and Discussions at the Festival Welcome to the Edinburgh International Festival Talks and Discussions Guide. In the year of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Creative Scotland, the Festival is delighted to present a fascinating and diverse series of talks and discussions covering a variety of topics from athletics to identity, music to mythology. Join us for a special insight into the 2012 Festival.

eif.co.uk

Encounters eif.co.uk/encounters The Hub Tickets ÂŁ6 1 hour approximately

Ideas, cultural assumptions, the art of satire, notions of truce and more are explored and debated in this series presented in collaboration with British Council Scotland.

All events in the Encounters series are Speech-to-Text Reported. For deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing audience members, a Speech-to-Text Reporter types words as they are spoken which are instantly displayed on screens so that everyone can follow the events.

In collaboration with

What Does It Mean to be British?

Sunday 12 August 2.30pm A provocative keynote address with Robert McCrum, associate editor of The Observer and author of Globish. Having analysed what he called the seven ages of Britishness, McCrum demonstrates how modern Britons are becoming citizens of a new world of innovation and opportunity. Chaired by Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council.

The Four Nations of the United Kingdom Monday 13 August 2.30pm Irish playwright Frank McGuinness, Scots poet and novelist Jackie Kay, writer, Wales’s first National poet Gwyneth Lewis and English poet Lavinia Greenlaw come together to discuss the distinctive voices that comprise the United Kingdom today.

Chaired by Scottish poet Don Paterson.

Encounters Athletes and Ideals Tuesday 14 August 2.30pm Louise Martin, Vice Chair of the Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games Scotland, chairs this discussion on what sport means to us today and the values of the classical Greek athlete. With Angus Farquhar, Creative Director of NVA’s Speed of Light, runner and writer Robin Harvie and Professor Douglas Cairns, specialist in the ethics of ancient Greek society at the University of Edinburgh.

A Classical World Friday 17 August 5.00pm Richard Jenkyns, Professor of the Classical Tradition at Oxford University, explores the importance and popularity of the classical world and its influence on modern culture. Chaired by Graham Sheffield, Director Arts for the British Council.

Satire Saturday 18 August 2.30pm Director of Gulliver’s Travels Silviu Purcărete joins Dr Valerie Rumbold of the University of Birmingham and Martin Rowson, cartoonist and author of his own Gulliver story, to discuss the great tradition of satire from which Jonathan Swift’s original tale emerged. Chaired by The Guardian columnist and feature writer Lucy Mangan.

Encounters A Very French Connection Saturday 25 August 2.30pm Ariane Mnouchkine, director of Les Naufragés du Fol Espoir (Aurores), is joined by author Professor Ian Thompson and Dr Mary Breatnach to discuss the connection between France and Scotland through literature and music. The discussion is chaired by Vincent Guérin, Director of the French Institute, Edinburgh.

Myth and Enchantment Sunday 26 August 2.30pm Writer Marina Warner, Wagner specialist Derek Watson and Dmitry Krymov, director of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (As You Like It), examine the roles of myth, fairytale and enchantment in culture and creativity. Chaired by the Director of Literature for the British Council, Susie Nicklin.

Fresh Voices Monday 27 August 2.30pm Jen Hadfield, the English poet and artist, Tony Reekie, Artistic Chief Executive of Imaginate and Lawrence Rhodes, Artistic Director of New York’s Juilliard Dance, discuss regeneration and renewal of the arts. Chaired by Richard Holloway, Chairman of Sistema Scotland.

Encounters Choosing Myths and Fairytales Tuesday 28 August 2.30pm Scots Makar, poet and playwright Liz Lochhead discusses her work and its connections with myth and fairytales from Scottish and European traditions with Robyn Marsack, Director of the Scottish Poetry Library.

Representations Friday 31 August 2.30pm Matthew Lenton, director of Wonderland, joins Professor Michael Lamb, psychologist and specialist in child development from the University of Cambridge, and feminist speaker Jean Kilbourne, to explore depictions of young women in the arts and media. Chaired by the BBC’s arts correspondent Razia Iqbal.

A Peaceful Place Saturday 1 September 2.30pm James MacMillan, composer of Clemency, and Ohad Naharin, Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company, join Sir Adam Roberts, President of the British Academy, and Chair Eugene Downes, cultural commentator, to explore ways in which the Olympic Truce can be applied today.

Conversations with Artists eif.co.uk/conversations The Hub Tickets £6 1 hour approximately

An opportunity to join some of our artists from the world of opera, theatre and music to further explore their work at the Festival.

Supported by

Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust

Tom Cairns Sunday 12 August 5.00pm Director of Opera North’s The Makropulos Case Tom Cairns talks about his new production of Janáček’s popular 1926 opera to BBC Radio Scotland broadcaster Jamie MacDougall.

Barry McGovern Monday 13 August 12 noon Barry McGovern discusses his adaptation and solo performance of Watt, produced by Dublin’s Gate Theatre, with questions from theatre specialist Dr Olga Taxidou.

Conversations with Artists Graham Valentine Wednesday 15 August 12 noon Scots-born actor Graham Valentine talks about performing in Theater Basel’s Meine faire Dame – ein Sprachlabor, in conversation with journalist Jackie McGlone.

Les Vents Français Wednesday 15 August 2.30pm The five members of France’s celebrated wind ensemble discuss their work with Richard Morrison, chief music critic of The Times.

William Christie Friday 17 August 12 noon William Christie, founder of the French ensemble Les Arts Florissants, talks to John Kitchen about presenting Charpentier’s 1688 opera David et Jonathas at Festival 2012.

Conversations with Artists Nicola Benedetti Friday 17 August 2.30pm Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti talks about performing at the Edinburgh International Festival with the London Symphony Orchestra and Valery Gergiev, in conversation with Richard Morrison, chief music critic of The Times.

Angelin Preljocaj Saturday 18 August 5.00pm The French choreographer and artistic director of the Ballet Preljocaj, in conversation with arts journalist Jackie McGlone, talks about bringing his 2010 creation And then, one thousand years of peace to the Edinburgh International Festival.

Hebrides Ensemble and Synergy Vocals Thursday 23 August 12 noon Members of Scotland’s foremost contemporary music group, Hebrides Ensemble, and vocalists from unique voice ensemble Synergy Vocals, discuss presenting a world premiere at Festival 2012 with Richard Morrison, chief music critic of The Times.

Conversations with Artists Camille O’Sullivan Saturday 25 August 12 noon Singer Camille O’Sullivan talks to BBC Radio Scotland’s Stephen Duffy about interpreting art song and her solo performance in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Rape of Lucrece.

Emerson String Quartet Friday 31 August 5.00pm The members of the incomparable New York City-based string quartet discuss their music, and closing the Queen’s Hall recital series for Festival 2012, with composer John Harris.

Reflections on Song eif.co.uk/reflections The Hub Tickets ÂŁ6 1 hour approximately

Fascinating insights into the musical careers of some of the world’s finest performers. All events in the Reflections on Song series are Speech-to-Text Reported.

Sir Thomas Allen Saturday 11 August 5.00pm Major international star, English baritone Sir Thomas Allen reflects upon his career as a singer in this lecture hosted by music writer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Tom Service.

Malcolm Martineau Wednesday 22 August 12 noon Pianist Malcolm Martineau discusses the art of singing and accompaniment with music writer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Tom Service.

Reflections on Song Ian Bostridge with Sir John Tusa Tuesday 28 August 5.00pm Internationally celebrated English tenor Ian Bostridge discusses his recent collection of essays on music, A Singer’s Notebook, with Sir John Tusa, cultural commentator and former Managing Director of London’s Barbican.

Toby Spence Wednesday 29 August 5.00pm World-renowned English tenor Toby Spence shares his thoughts and ideas on singing in the company of music writer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Tom Service.

Study Events

eif.co.uk/studyevents The Hub

Polish Modernism – Szymanowski and Lutosławski Thursday 16 August 10.00am 3 hours approximately with break, Tickets £12 Stephen Downes, Professor of Music at the University of Surrey, explores the music of Szymanowski and Lutosławski.

Szymanowski’s Homeland – Europe’s Forgotten Orient Thursday 16 August 5.00pm 1 hour approximately, Tickets £6 In a panel organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Roman Berchenko, Russian composer, Piotr Deptuch, Polish conductor and Professor Daniel Beauvois, an eminent French historian who specialises in Polish-Ukranian relations, rediscover the orient in Szymanowski’s music.

Personal Mythology Wednesday 29 August 11.00am 5 hours approximately with breaks, Tickets £12 Psychologist and storyteller Professor Jonathan Young draws on his work with mythologist Joseph Campbell. The day is highly participatory and explores how metaphors can reveal elements of psychological life through storytelling and conversation.

Edinburgh University Events Truce Thursday 30 August 12 noon Composer Nigel Osborne, Reid Professor of Music, and Dr Igor Stiks are joined in an interactive workshop by Dr Olga Taxidou and broadcaster Professor Jolyon Mitchell to explore the concept of truce in the arts.

Tales from a Turbulent World: can journalism really be the ďŹ rst draft of history?

Thursday 30 August 2.30pm BBC Special Correspondent Allan Little gives the Edinburgh University Festival lecture, chaired by Vice Principal and Head of Humanities and Social Science Professor Dorothy Miell.

Nationhood Today Thursday 30 August 5.00pm Broadcaster Sheena McDonald discusses the changing face of nationhood today in Scotland with Professor of Constitutional Law Christine Bell, Grierson Professor of Literature Susan Manning and Alvin Jackson, Richard Lodge Professor of History. eif.co.uk/edinburghuniversity The Hub, Tickets ÂŁ6

Young People and Students

Standby – Half Price

Young People and Students – Half Price Now! Under 18s and students in full time education can buy any ticket at 50% off on selected performances

From 1 August, 50% off all tickets for senior citizens, unemployed people, Young Scot, Equity and MU card holders.

Access Discounts

Festival backstage

Wheelchair users, people with severe mobility difficulties or with visual or hearing impairment can buy seats/spaces in the area of the venue most appropriate to their needs.

Your companion’s ticket will be free. Call the dedicated access booking line on 0131 473 2089.

For further insights into who and what makes a Festival, Festival backstage is a series of short films that take you behind the scenes.

You can access all areas with these films created together with Standard Life and Edinburgh Napier University. Visit eif.co.uk/festivalbackstage and start exploring.

For information on the full Festival programme visit eif.co.uk or call 0131 473 2000

Charity No SC004694.

Fireworks Concert Scottish Chamber Orchestra Conducted by Garry Walker Explosive and spectacular entertainment, this year’s Virgin Money Fireworks Concert is a feast of pageantry and patriotism celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the world’s greatest playwright, William Shakespeare.

Wherever you are in Edinburgh, join in and hear the music live by tuning into Forth One 97.3 or Forth 2 1548AM from 8.30pm.

With more than 100,000 fireworks intricately choreographed to the music, one of the world’s biggest fireworks concerts is a magnificent finale to the Edinburgh International Festival.

Sunday 2 September 9.00pm eif.co.uk/virginmoneyfireworks 0131 473 2000

Charity No SC004694

Visit eif.co.uk/virginmoneyfireworks for up-tothe-minute news, ticket info, maps and advice on how to make the most of this fantastic night.