The 2025 International Festival kicked off with a truly special event, Sir John Tavener's massive choral extravaganza The Veil of the Temple. It embraced four religions, five languages, as well as much of the mystical content at which Tavener excelled. There was also a chorus of an impressive 250.
The director holding the forces together, Thomas Guthrie, was one of the singers in the premiere in 2003, so had a better understanding of the work than most. He helped steer the audience through its great complexities.
Edinburgh audiences did not spend the night in the Usher Hall, which may or may not be a good thing. There was undoubtedly a gain in convenience, but the cumulative effect of the epic dusk to dawn journey may have been slightly diluted. Maybe next time?
The five languages were accompanied by English surtitles, though many audience members simply allowed the music to wash over them. The stalls seating was removed to make way for beanbags - yet no-one seemed to doze off. There was a definite sense of involvement and concentration throughout, though with two programmed intervals it didn't really seem essential for some spectators to nip out at other times for refreshment.
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