The Santander International Festival (FIS) will offer 61 events throughout the month of August, the same number as years of the FIS. Ten premieres, four world premieres and six in Spain, will be included. The FIS opens on 1 August in style with Zubin Mehta conducting the Israel Philarmonic Orchestra, which will perform Beethoven’s eighth symphony, Spanish Caprice by Rimsky-Korsakov and Anton Dvorák's ninth symphony. The premiere in Spain and the only performance in our country on 9 August of "The Giacomo Variations", with the actor John Malkovich, is one of the great novelties of the FIS, presented this Wednesday at a press conference by the President of Cantabria, Ignacio Diego, the Mayor of Santander, Iñigo de la Serna, and the Director of the Festival, José Luis Ocejo. All highlighted the quality of the programme of an edition complicated by the economic climate. Nevertheless, Ocejo stressed that this "had not affected the essence" of the Festival, although logically "it had been necessary to make cuts" and which has delayed the presentation of a programme that in January "was practically completed". A special effects show (mapping) on the facade of the Porticada Square on 2 August; an exhibition about Manuel de Falla from 1 to 26 August in the Palacete del Embarcadero; a recital by baritone Leo Nucci and soprano Patrizio Ciofi; the world premiere, commissioned by the Festival, of the 10th symphony by Tomás Marco; the presence of Sir Colin Davis conducting the English Chamber Orchestra; the Antonio Gades Company; the Roland Petit Ballets ,with Igor Yebra accompanied by the principal dancers of the Paris and Milan Scalla Operas, and the Svetlanov Symphonic Orchestra from Russia, are some of the other great events of this edition. Of the 61 shows programmed, 16 will be held in the Palacio Festivales and the others will be held in 29 venues in 26 municipalities, as well as seven street shows and two exhibitions.