Nicola was officially presented with the 2023 Edinburgh Award on Tuesday evening.

The coveted award celebrates individuals who have made a unique contribution to the city and brought it to national and international attention.

Nicola was chosen to receive the award this year for her role as festival director of the Edinburgh International Festival

The award comprising of an engraved loving cup from the Lord Provost and Nicola's handprints set in stone at the City Chambers.

The city’s Lord Provost and chair of the Edinburgh Award panel, Robert Aldridge said: “I was delighted to present Nicola Benedetti with the Edinburgh Award yesterday evening.

“Nicola’s handprints are now immortalised in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle, and she deservedly follows in the footsteps of some of the finest individuals associated with our great city.

“From heading up one of the world’s most important cultural celebrations in the Edinburgh International Festival, to being a globally renowned musician in her own right, she has represented the capital with pride, dedication, and skill.

“Nicola is also one of the youngest ever recipients of the Edinburgh Award which shows the measure and scale of her talent and achievements. I’d also highlight the fantastic work of the Benedetti Foundation, based in the city, which focuses on musical education, participation, and experiences. Since its establishment in 2019 it has reached over 50,000 participants of all ages from 103 countries. I’d like to congratulate Nicola on behalf of the city, and I’m sure she will continue to do great things in the future, both here in Edinburgh and beyond.”

Nicola added: “Each gift in our life, such as the role of Festival Director or a recognition such as this award, serves as a propeller – and an opportunity for choice. Each gift holds the potential for responsibility to others, that you choose to serve and grasp, or not. Each gift is a reminder of our place in a lineage of contributors to bettering life for ourselves and for others; a reminder of the collective potential we have when we all consider – in our own unique way – our civic and moral duty.”

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) presented its fifth annual Women in Classical Music Symposium from 12 to 15 November at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, TX.

Nicola was given the symposium’s Award of Excellence - presented to a woman in the field who has paved the way for others and is investing in the future of the industry.

‘I’m deeply honoured to receive this Award of Excellence from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra,’ commented Nicky. ‘I gave my debut with this fantastic group of musicians many years ago and have so many beautiful and dear memories.’

As part of the symposium, the Award of Excellence honouree chooses a recipient for the Emerging Artist Award. Nicola has chosen Rachel Cooper, a violin teacher dedicated to creating fun and meaningful ways to teach young people core technical and musical foundations.

Congratulations to Edinburgh International Festival Director Nicola Benedetti who has won the 2023 Edinburgh Award!

Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated individuals who have made a truly unique contribution to the city and brought our capital to national and international attention.

Previous recipients include bestselling authors, ground-breaking scientists, human rights activists, exemplary sportspeople and Fergus Linehan, our previous Festival Director. The Edinburgh Award allows its citizens to see the individuals who have made a real and lasting impact on the city.

The City of Edinburgh Council

Read more on the EIF website: https://eif.buzz/3s3T7Vn

Photo: Franz Galo

"If there's a moment where a perspective can be shifted or changed for the better, surely it's within an arts festival where every perspective is portrayed."

Nicola Benedetti spoke to news anchor Bianca Golodryga live on CNN last Friday about her vision for the Festival and what to expect from this year’s programme. Click here for the full interview.

Nicola is nominated for BEST CLASSICAL ARTIST at The Global Awards 2023! 

Nicola embarks on a 5-city North American Trio Recital Tour with cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and pianist Alexei Grynyuk from March 20 to 31!

March 20: Beaver Creek, CO | @VilarPAC
March 22: San Francisco, CA | @SFPerformances
March 26: Boston, MA | @GardnerMuseum
March 28: Charlottesville, VA | @UVAArts
March 31: Toronto, ON | @TheRoyalConservatory

Ahead of our programme announcement for 2023 later this spring, Festival Director Nicola Benedetti talks to The New York Times about her career as an acclaimed violinist, visions for the future of the Festival and sharing art with the broadest possible audience.

30/06/2022

Violinist, educator and global champion of the arts Nicola Benedetti CBE has been appointed Honorary President of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).

She joins an esteemed company of Honorary Presidents of the institution which has included Lord Kelvin, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dame Janet Baker, Sir Alexander Gibson, Dame Judi Dench and, most recently, Sir Cameron Mackintosh.q

Nicola is delighted to announce that she will be joining classical superstar, Andrea Bocelli as special guest, at his first visit to the Scottish Highlands and as part of his world tour in 2022 at Caledonian Stadium Inverness on Friday 1st July.

Tickets on sale: ictcc.co.uk

#andreabocelli