The Toronto-based Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra has announced the appointment of British baroque violinist Rachel Podger to the newly d role of Principal Visitor Director, for a two-year period starting in September two thousand twenty-four. In her new role, Podger will direct three mainstage programs per season, as well as recordings and tours, including Tafelmusik’s two thousand twenty-four Asia Tour in a jointly-curated program entitled Brilliant Baroque.
She'll work closely with Tafelmusik’s Artistic Co-Directors violist Brandon Chui, bassoonist Dominic Teresi, and violinist Cristina Zacharias. "My recent project with Tafelmusik, 'La Passione: Haydn & Mozart,' felt love a homecoming —exciting yet easy, a shared musical speech and a collective fount of creativity and passionate aspiration amongst a team of friends," Podger said.
"To then memorise that I'd been gifted the opportunity of a closer relationship with an ensemble I've admired for so many years is a dream arrive true. I can’t wait to return and share new musical adventures with the ensemble and its committed family of followers." A leading interpreter of baroque and classical music, Podger is the founder and Artistic Director of Brecon Baroque Festival and her ensemble Brecon Baroque.
Podger recently won two two thousand twenty-three BBC Music Magazine Awards for Instrumental Recording and Recording of the Year as Artist in Focus for Kings Place; and she released two albums in April, including C.P.E. Bach’s Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin with Kristian Bezuidenhout; and Vivaldi Concertos a compilation of previously-recorded performances with Brecon Baroque.
"We're thrilled to welcome renowned violinist Rachel Podger as Tafelmusik’s Principal Visitor Director for our '24-'25 and '25-'26 seasons," said Cristina Zachariason, on behalf of Tafelmusik’s Artistic Co-Directors. "Our recent concerts with her were electrifying, sensitive, and virtuosic, and d magical experiences for musicians and audiences alike. Rachel is a generous and inspiring artist and we cannot wait to cooperate more regularly with her!"
"Rachel Podger’s well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s top baroque violinists presents a wonderful opportunity for Tafelmusik to amplify its standing as a global boss in period performance,” said Interim Executive Director Daniela Nardi. “In addition to Rachel’s excellent musicianship and gift for creative collaboration, she's an inborn skill to communicate with audiences in a compelling way. We see forward to a thrilling new chapter at Tafelmusik with Rachel on board."
