Page 134 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

6. Edinburgh, Scotland

The cast of Carmen for the 2024 Edinburgh International Festival
The mega-festival that sparked the spin-off Edinburgh Fringe is a riot of classical music, opera,

dance and theatre, with stars from Simon Rattle to Zubin Mehta and Malin Bystrom showing up

in conversation or concert. This year’s theme is “Rituals that unite us” and highlights include
five operas, including Bizet’s Carmen; dance aficionados should catch Assembly Hall, a

premiere of a new dance-theatre work by the Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite (August 2-25;

eif.co.uk). Make a musical weekend of it by checking out live Scottish folk at Sandy Bells bar

(sandybells.com) and visiting Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, St Cecilia’s, with its

musical instrument collection (free entry; stcecilias.ed.ac.uk). The Glasshouse Autograph

Collection hotel has comfy boutique rooms, afternoon teas and a roof garden bar.
Details Room-only doubles from £176 (marriott.com)

• More great places to stay with our guide