Scottish violinist and festival leader, CBE
Wynton Marsalis has staged All Rise, a 12-movement symphony that blends jazz, gospel and orchestral textures. The Edinburgh Festival opens with Marsalis leading Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra alongside the RSNO and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, underscoring collaboration and resilience as the city marks American independence’s 250th anniversary.
The Edinburgh International Festival cites the need to protect live performance, with a policy banning phones at Queen's Hall concerts after disruptions. Critics argue it signals a broader clash over audience behavior and artistic focus.
Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre has reopened after a near-four-year closure following a £41 million refurbishment. The Edwardian venue now features enhanced accessibility, a level stage, extended fly tower, upgraded technical infrastructure and doubled hospitality capacity. Test events have taken place and tours are selling quickly ahead of fringe season.