Nicola Benedetti

Join “the country’s favourite violinist”, Nicola Benedetti, for a unique and personal concert, and her first solo headline appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in over a decade.

Combining stunning performance with storytelling, Nicola shares a selection of shorter works – from romantic to virtuosic to folk - combined with her thoughts surrounding her music choices, as well as her experiences over the past decade.

This performance will be intimate and personal, with Nicola joined onstage by fellow musicians including Brazilian guitarist Plinio Fernandes and accordionist Samuele Telari to perform a varied repertoire, including Paganini, Vaughan Williams, Pablo de Sarasate and Clara Schumann.

Nicola Benedetti is one of the most sought-after violinists of her generation. Her ability to captivate audiences and her wide appeal as an advocate for classical music has made her one of the most influential artists of today.

Winner of the GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo in 2020, as well as Best Female Artist at both 2012 and 2013 Classical BRIT Awards, Nicola's latest recordings of Vivaldi Concerti and Elgar’s Violin Concerto entered at number one in the UK’s Official Classical Album Chart. Other recent recordings include her GRAMMY Award-winning album written especially for her by jazz musician Wynton Marsalis: Violin Concerto in D and Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin. In 2021, BBC Music Magazine named her “Personality of the Year” for her online support of many young musicians during the pandemic.

Nicola has always been a dedicated, passionate ambassador and leader in music education and her commitment was underlined in 2019 when she established The Benedetti Foundation, which delivers transformative experiences through mass music events and unites those who believe music is integral to life’s education.

In October 2022, Nicola became the Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival. In taking the role she became both the first Scottish and the first female Festival Director since the Festival began in 1947.

Repertoire

Pablo de Sarasate Carmen Fantasie

Pablo de Sarasate Caprice Basque

Ernest Bloch Prayer

Trad Ashokan Farewell

Works by Clara Schumann, Vaughan Williams and Paganini along with new commissions and arrangements of traditional Scottish music.

Thursday 27 November 2025 7:30pm - 11:30pm

Royal Albert Hall