RSNO and RSNO Youth Chorus return to the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival Posted Thu 13 March 2025
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and RSNO Youth Chorus return to the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival with three concerts. This continues the RSNO’s long-standing relationship with the festival.
Opening the festival on Saturday 2 August, the RSNO joins the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Monteverdi Choir and National Youth Chorus of Scotland for an 8-hour long performance of The Veil of the Temple. Part of the festival’s beanbag concert series, the audience can come and go as desired throughout the performance. This is only the second time in its 20-year life that John Tavener’s work has been performed.
The RSNO Youth Chorus take to the stage alongside London Symphony Orchestra and Edinburgh Festival Chorus for Puccini’s Suor Angelica on Saturday 16 August. Later in August, Come and Sing Elijah, a full-day workshop led by Edinburgh Festival Chorus Director James Grossmith, features the RSNO and Music Director Thomas Søndergård and culminates in a closed performance of the dramatic choral work.
Bringing the festival to a close, Music Director Thomas Søndergård leads the RSNO, Edinburgh Festival Chorus and cast of soloists including Scotland’s own Karen Cargill, Mari Eriksmoen, Ben Bliss and Christopher Maltman, for Mendelssohn’s Elijah in the Usher Hall.
Full details of the 2025 ‘The Truth We Seek’ Edinburgh International Festival programme and booking information can be found at eif.co.uk. Public booking opens on at 12pm on Thursday 27 March.
Concert details:
Opening Concert: The Veil of the Temple
Saturday 2 August 2025, 2.30pm
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Puccini’s Suor Angelica (RSNO Youth Chorus)
Saturday 16 August 2025, 7pm
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Come and Sing Elijah
Saturday 23 August 2025, 10am
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Closing Concert: Mendelssohn’s Elijah
Sunday 24 August 2025, 7.30pm
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
