Runnicles, the Scottish music director of San Francisco Opera, is to lead the festival's opening night concert. Other conductors on the schedule include Charles Mackerras, Jir‹ Belohlšvek, Herbert Blomstedt, Rinaldo Alessandrini, and Emmanuelle HaÇm.

Singers making appearances include mezzo-soprano Violeta Urmana, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore, baritone Matthias Goerne, and tenor Ian Bostridge; among the instrumental soloists are violinist Christian Tetzlaff, pianist Stephen Hough, and pianist Lars Vogt.

Theatrical events include a festival of Japanese Noh theater.