Brian McMaster

Director of the world-renowned Edinburgh International Festival, Brian McMaster, is stepping down as Director after 15 years. He talks about his amazing time at the helm of the world’s most vibrant arts festival…

The Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) has been wowing audiences from all over the world since 1947.  An unrivalled showcase of classical music, theatre, opera and dance, the EIF along with five other festivals in Edinburgh takes over Scotland’s capital in August for three weeks.
 
“Edinburgh is the perfect festival city – it’s the right size and a beautiful place to walk around in. Probably as a result of the first festival in 1947, Edinburgh has got more theatres and concerts halls than any city in the world of comparable size.   

“It’s the background which makes it what it is – there is an extraordinary history to draw on.  I always say if I’ve a good idea or what I think is a good idea, I go and look up the archive and its always been done before!

“In 1947 when the first festival took place, they did so many things right. For example the structure for the festival was set up which is still followed to this day and I suspect it will be followed by my successors in years to come. In 1947, the audience figures were extraordinary – the people helped make it the perfect festival city.

“But things have changed a bit in Edinburgh since 1947. It used to be traditional for the people of Edinburgh to leave the city when the festival is on. Now everyone embraces it. In fact in 1947 people gave up ration cards so visitors to the festival could eat!

The brainchild of Austrian Rudolph Bing, the idea for the Edinburgh Festival was conceived in Salzburg, which in Bing’s opinion was another city of comparable size with a castle on the hill.

“I first came to the Edinburgh festival in 1962. It was a seminal experience. I stayed for two and a half weeks and heard so many phenomenal performances in a very short space of time.  These were truly festival performances. It was all very special  – being in the city, the whole festival experience – you sit down and someone talks to you and says have you seen such-and-such a performance..?”

“My favourite place in Scotland has to be Edinburgh. I don’t climb Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet) so my favourite place has to be Edinburgh – it’s a city so different from Glasgow. Nowhere else in the world can you find two cities of such different personality so close together.  

With such an enormous selection of talented and illustrious performers surely Brian couldn’t say what his favourite moment has been…

“The end – due to the stress levels!

“No, really I have had some fantastic times during the festivals. My job has been putting on 185 performances in the space of three weeks so I have seen an awful lot of performances.

How is there time to fit in seeing 185 performances?

“Some I will have already seen in some far flung part of the world from where I have invited them to perform in Edinburgh. Someone else will tell me how the audience reacts to it. So by end of the festival I will have seen just about everything!

“I haven’t currently got any plans for after I finish as Director, lie back and take a rest I would imagine.

“I couldn’t possibly narrow down a favourite performance from this year’s programme – everything is my favourite! It’s true!”

Brian McMaster is handing over the Directorship to Australian Jonathan Mills at the end of this year’s festival.  So what would Brian’s tips be to his successor?

“When I started as Director in 1991, I was given only one tip by Frank Dunlop (Director from 1984-1991). He said don’t drink during the festival… it took me years to realise he was joking!” 

Brian McMaster

Born in Hertfordshire, England, Brian McMaster was appointed Director of the EIF in 1991. He is Chairman of the National Opera Studio, and a member of the Arts Council of England. He was awarded the CBE in 1987 and a Knighthood in the 2003 New Year Honours.

The Edinburgh International Festival takes place from 13 August-3 September. Read our special feature about Edinburgh’s Festivals to find out what’s on at the Edinburgh International Festival and other festivals taking place in the city this year.