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Sat 02 Sep 2006

Edinburgh has once again proven itself to be one of the most exciting places in the world to experience performing arts.

Box office take has exceeded £2.5m, over £250,000 more than the final figure last year. Over 17,000 more tickets have been purchased for Edinburgh International Festival events this year than in 2005.

The Lloyds TSB Scotland Concerts have proved a popular and critical success and contributed significantly to a fantastic year for classical music. Over 14,000 more tickets to classical music events have been sold this year, 38% up on last year.

Tremendous support from both the corporate and private sectors has seen sponsorship and donations exceeding £2.5m this year.

Some of the successes of this year that will be remembered for years to come include Sir Charles Mackerras conducting the complete Beethoven symphonies; Claudio Abbado conducting a magical production of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte; Calixto Bieito’s controversial and moving stage adaptation of Michel Houllebecq’s novel Platform; Opera de Lyon’s sumptuous Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht double bill and their Peter Stein directed production of Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa; the Minnesota Orchestra led by the Osmo Vänskä; and the Festival’s opening concert Strauss’s Elektra which included a sensational performance in the title role by soprano Jeanne-Michéle Charbonnet.

The Usher Hall concerts came to a close with a stunning concert performance of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, an all star line up included Hillevi Martinpelto, Jonas Kaufmann and Robert Holl.

The Edinburgh International Festival reached its spectacular finale on Sunday 3 September with the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert.

The 2006 Festival was the fifteenth and final Festival for Director Brian McMaster, who received many tributes and appreciations from audiences, artists and colleagues.

The 2007 Festival, running from the 12th of August to the 2nd of September, will see new Director Jonathan Mills take the reins.