FROM child prodigy to one of the most respected violinists in the world, Nicola Benedetti has been breaking down barriers her whole life. And it was that trailblazing spirit that led her to the role of director of the 2023 Edinburgh International Festival.
Scots-born Nicola, previously an EIF "supporting artist", is not just the first woman to lead the festival since 1947, she is the first performing artist to take on the director role following a succession of impresarios, administrators and directors. Not that she lacks experience of running an arts organisation - the Benedetti Foundation, which she established in 2019, has already worked with more than 29,000 participants of all ages, across 103 countries, through in-person workshops and online sessions for young students, teachers and adults. Nevertheless, how did she get the Edinburgh "gig"?
"Well, they called and asked if I would be interested in applying for the role, which I then considered pretty carefully, as it's not exactly a small commitment," she says. "Eventually I decided I would. There was a long process of applying for the post, but it was one that I had obviously thought about enough in advance to then really put everything into it."
She accepts the application process was as much about ensuring she was right for them as it was deciding it was something she could feel comfortable doing.
"Obviously, you're tied to upholding a long and consistent tradition of quality and excellence in Edinburgh every summer, but you're also tasked with bringing something different," she says. "I think every director has had a very different approach and that's expected.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2023-Ausgabe von The Scots Magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2023-Ausgabe von The Scots Magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Unst To Orbit
Shetland's spaceport is set to take Europe by storm, launching rockets to the stratosphere
Just Passing Through
A tale of the unexpected unfolds at dawn in a Stirlingshire glen as a rare, shy creature slips out of the shadows
Brigadoon Revisited
An affectionate look back at the low budget \"synthetic Scotch\" movie that still sparkles in the mist, 70 years on
A Brand New Opening
The Scots Magazine revisits the Old Course in St Andrews almost 70 years on and celebrates recent progress in welcoming women
Kenmore's Crossroads
Fury over a luxury redevelopment at the Perthshire village made news headlines around the world but is the tide of popular opinion turning?
Seeing Double!
Sam Heughan's Outlander body double, lain Wilkie, shares stories about his experiences on and off screen
The Story & The Song
With a soundtrack to a Shetland tale, author and musician Malachy Tallack blends his artistic passions in his latest venture
A Rebirth From The Earth
Erland Cooper's intriguing project has given nature and two determined fans a hand in shaping and bringing his new album to light
Nip Of Champions
Whisky has long been associated with moments of triumph, including a recent example of clever sporting motivation
The Waterside Hotel
A spectacular spot on the stunning Ayrshire coast