Violinist Nicola Benedetti's Family Background, Top Recordings, and the Instrument She Plays
Scottish Violinist Nicola Benedetti Leads Edinburgh International Festival into Third Year
Nicola Benedetti, a leading classical musician and the first woman to direct the Edinburgh International Festival, is set to lead the event into its third year in 2025. The violinist, who is of Italian and Scottish heritage, has been at the helm of the festival since 2022.
Benedetti's plans for the upcoming festival include a wide-ranging lineup across the arts, with premieres and significant new works. This focus on artistic innovation within a traditional festival framework reflects her commitment to maintain the festival’s high artistic standards and international scope.
The violinist's deep experience as a musician and her extensive involvement in music education and cultural leadership guide the festival’s direction. Benedetti emphasizes artistic excellence and broad accessibility, aiming to connect with new audiences and create deep, shared experiences among concertgoers.
Benedetti's approach as a performer and music educator balances artistic ambition with practical management. She discussed this multifaceted role in interviews, reflecting on her experiences amid personal milestones like motherhood.
Nicola Benedetti's violin, a Stradivarius called the Gariel, is worth an estimated £2 million. In 2019, she released the first recording of an extraordinary new violin concerto by her husband, jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
The violinist has toured internationally with some of the world's greatest orchestras and conductors. Her most acclaimed releases include her Grammy-winning 2019 recording of Wynton Marsalis's Violin Concerto and Fiddle Dance Suite, her 2016 album of Shostakovich and Glazunov Violin Concertos, and her 2012 Silver Violin album which put the Korngold violin concerto at its heart.
In addition to her musical achievements, Benedetti has founded her own orchestra and established the Benedetti Foundation in 2019. The foundation is dedicated to supporting and inspiring both music teachers and young musicians, and crucially, the inclusion of music and the arts in schools and beyond.
Benedetti's motto is, "Enhance your own ability, be the best you can be - but don't keep that for yourself. Share it, expose it, give it and try to enrich other people with what you have managed to achieve." This philosophy underpins her achievements in enhancing the Edinburgh International Festival’s reputation and reach during her tenure.
In 2023, Benedetti took a brief break from her violin to direct one of Europe's biggest arts festivals, the annual Edinburgh International Festival. The first woman and Scottish person at the helm of the festival, Benedetti vowed that under her direction, the festival will connect with new audiences and create deep, shared experiences among concertgoers.
[1] Edinburgh International Festival [2] The Guardian [3] BBC News [4] The Scotsman [5] The Herald
- Nicola Benedetti, a classical music prodigy and music education advocate, is set to lead the Edinburgh International Festival in its third year, which focuses on music and various other arts.
- As the artistic director, Benedetti plans to incorporate fashion-and-beauty elements into the festival, making it an attractive destination for celebrities and those interested in the lifestyle sector.
- In addition to the festival's entertainment offerings, Benedetti's foundation, Benedetti Foundation, supports music education and aims to nurture the next generation of musicians, broadening the festival's impact beyond arts and entertainment.
