 Sir Charles is one of the world's finest conductors |
Veteran conductor Sir Charles Mackerras has been named as the new honorary president of the Edinburgh International Festival Society. Festival Director Jonathan Mills said the accolade was in recognition of the wonderful performances he had brought festival audiences over 56 years. Sir Charles, 82, is only the second person to be invited to become honorary president of the festival society. Violinist Yehudi Menuhin held the post from 1989 until his death in 1999. Music director Sir Charles was born in the United States to Australian parents, before growing up in Australia. He made his first appearance at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1952 with Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet. He returned in 1958 as music director for a season of 12 ballet premieres. In more recent years he is renowned for his performances at the Usher Hall with orchestras including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Hanover Band, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Soloists who have shared the festival platform with Sir Charles include Christian Zacharias, Felicity Lott, Sarah Walker, Philip Langridge, John Williams, Bryn Terfel, Ian Bostridge, Lisa Milne and Simon Keenlyside.  |  As a genuine Scotsman, it is a great honour to be given this position and to follow on in such distinguished footsteps |
In 2006 Mackerras conducted a series of Beethoven's Nine Symphonies. Jonathan Mills said: "To honour his commitment and his wonderful artistry, the festival is very proud to announce Sir Charles Mackerras as its honorary president, and we are delighted that he has accepted this position." Sir Charles said: "As a genuine Scotsman, it is a great honour to be given this position and to follow on in such distinguished footsteps. "Since my debut at the festival in 1952, it has always played a very important part of my musical life and to have a continuing relationship with the festival is a great honour indeed."
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