Perth is ready to welcome internationally-renowned names and the hottest emerging Scottish talent from the world of music, arts and culture this May for the 50th Perth Festival of the Arts.
As one of Scotland’s leading independent arts festivals, Perth Festival of the Arts continues to diversify around its longstanding classical core. From orchestras, opera and rock to contemporary art, comedy and stage shows, the event appeals to different tastes and encourages people of all ages to enjoy new arts experiences.
This year’s anniversary festival offers one of largest programmes in recent years, featuring no less than 40 concerts and events in seven venues around the city between May 18 and 29.
With all the sparkle of an opening night, The Orchestra of Scottish Opera and a stellar line-up of singers present an eclectic programme of opera’s most moving pieces in The Brewin Dolphin Gala Opening Concert on May 19 at Perth Concert Hall.
The venue will also play host to other large-scale festival events including Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with special guest Eddi Reader. The BBC Big Band will perform cinematic favourites inspired by the James Bond franchise, and there will be performances by award-winning Scottish folk artists Siobhan Miller and Rura.
In the more intimate setting of Perth Theatre, festival goers can enjoy the hit Broadway and Las Vegas musical Friends! the Musical Parody, which remembers the lives of six wacky 20-somethings from the Manhattan-based TV phenomenon that ruled the 1990s.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s touring opera company Opera Bohemia make their Perth Festival debut with a chamber version of Puccini’s masterpiece Madama Butterfly, promising to be a memorable night for opera lovers and newcomers alike.
Well-known faces from film and television will also feature, with presenter and comedian Simon Amstell bringing his critically-acclaimed show Spirit Hole to Perth. Pianist Lucy Parham is joined by narrator and actor Tim McInnerny – known for his roles in Blackadder, Notting Hill and Game of Thrones – to explore the life and loves of composer Claude Debussy.
One of the most prominent wildlife presenters and filmmakers working today, Gordon Buchanan brings his anniversary show 30 Years In The Wild, while restaurant critic, MasterChef judge and writer Jay Rayner entertains with his show My Last Supper: One Meal, A Lifetime In The Making.
The final weekend of the festival launches Scotland Trending, a two-day festival weekend in a large marquee outside Perth Concert Hall. This free event runs each afternoon into the evening and features the best rising stars in indie/rock and singer-songwriters.
Bands taking the stage include funk soul powerhouse Tom McGuire & The Brassholes as well as Perth’s exciting music export the underground pop band Parliamo.
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