This year's theme of Artists without Borders is reflected across the programme which features an international line-up of artists
drawn mainly from countries whose unstable borders have affected lives - including Israel, Palestine, Iran, Bosnia,
Russia and Lebanon. Alongside classic works, the majority of performances will explore political and cultural identity, aiming to challenge as well as attract
audiences.
DANCE highlights
GISELLE
Bolshoi Ballet prima ballerina Nina Ananiashvili and now artistic director of
the State Ballet of Georgia will perform the title role in this production.
Playhouse 9 -10 August
STEVE REICH EVENING
Flemish
company Rosas mounts a programme of choreographer Anna Teresa Da Keerskaeker's
dance set to the music of minimalist composer Steve Reich.
Festival
Theatre15-17 August
DORIAN GRAY
Matthew
Bourne's latest production is freely adapted from Oscar Wilde's tale and updated to the contemporary
art world.
King's Theatre 22-30 August, except 25 August.
DECA DANCE
The Batsheva Dance Company from Israel bring together highlights from Ohad
Naharin's works
Playhouse 28-30 August
OPERA highlights
RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHAGONNY
HK Gruber conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in this concert
performance for the opening night of the International Festival.
Usher Hall, Aug 8
THE TWO WIDOWS
Scottish Opera, with newly appointed music director Francesco Corti, returns
to the EIF with Smetana's comedy of manners performed in an English translation.
Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Aug 9-12
KRÓL ROGER
Szymanowki's 1926 opera is performed by the Maryinsky Opera in an authentically
Polish production.
Festival Theatre Aug 25, 27
CLASSICAL highlights
GRAFFITI CLASSICS
Virtuosic mix of dancing, singing and clowning.
Pleasance Dome, Aug 9-17
BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Messiaën's anniversary is celebrated with a performance of Éclairs sur
l'au-delà and Thomas Adès's Tevot gets another outing .
Usher Hall, Aug 10
CHANT WARS
Tea-time concerts exploring the traditional choral music of medieval Europe and
the Middle East.
Greyfriars Kirk, Aug 11-15
GABRIELA MONTERO
Two recitals by the Venezuelan pianist. Mixing Chopin with Bach, and Debussy
with Schumann at the Queen's Hall, and adapting themes suggested by the audience
at The Hub.
Queen's Hall, Aug 12 (11am); The Hub (10.30pm)
PROKOFIEV CYCLE
Featuring all the Prokofiev symphonies, his two violin concertos and the
Sinfonia Concertante for Cello and Orchestra. Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos
plays the concertos .
Usher Hall, Aug 15-17
MONTEVERDI CHOIR
John Eliot Gardiner's choristers present Brahms's German Requiem preceeded by
Heinrich Schütz's Musikalische Exequien.
Usher Hall, Aug 19
BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Performing a range of gypsy music, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies and Bartók's
forays into folk styles.
Usher Hall, Aug 23, 25; Queen's Hall, Aug 24
BEAUX ARTS TRIO
First appearing in Edinburgh back in 1960, this is the farewell performance of this premier
American piano trio, performing Mendelssohn, Kurtag and Beethoven.
Queen's Hall, Aug 30
WOLPE!
The Hub, where the EIF offices are based, will host a late-night festival club
this year with piano music, gypsy song and these two nights of music from Kurt
Weill's contemporary Stefan Wolpe.
The Hub, 29-30 August