Opera

— Monteverdi’s Orfeo in the famous Catalonian production from 2002 directed by Gilbert Delfo, conducted by Jordi Savall Festival Theatre Aug 11, 13, 14

— World premiere of new production of Richard Strauss’s Capriccio by Cologne Opera conducted by Markus Stenz Festival Theatre Aug 28, 30, Sept 1

Music

— Chamber Orchestra of Europe in programme conducted by and including music by Thomas Adãs, making his Edinburgh debut Usher Hall Aug 13-14

— Gurzenich Orchestra: a rare symphonic appearance from the band that usually plays for the Cologne Opera Usher Hall Aug 31

— Christoph Pregardien: this French lyric tenor, one of the most outstanding singers in the world, will be performing Schumann and Mahler with long-time collaborator Michael Gees Queen’s Hall Aug 23

— The Tiger Lillies Cult vaudeville trio offer a tribute (of sorts) to Monteverdi. Will undoubtedly be the oddest and probably the most scatological tribute to the father of all opera. Usher Hall Aug 25

Theatre

— Alan Cumming, returns to Scotland as Dionysos in a new vesion of Euripides’s The Bacchae, written by David Greig and produced by the National Theatre of Scotland Kings Theatre, Aug 11-18

— Mabou Mines Dollhouse: Radical reinterpretation by Lee Breuerof Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, set in a dolls house, putting the gender politics of the original in sharp relief Aug 24-28

Dance

— On Danfe: sensationally decadent dance piece from France based on the operas of early French composer Philippe Rameau, mixing live dancers and video art, trampolines and trapezes.

— Impressing the Czar The full version of William Forsythe’s masterwork,by the Royal Ballet of Flanders