Biography
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields was formed from a group of leading London musicians in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner. The Academy gave its first performance in November 1959 in its namesake church.
Through live performances and a vast recording output—highlights of which include the 1969 best-seller Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning film Amadeus—the Academy has gained an international reputation for its distinctive, polished, and refined sound. With more than 500 releases in its discography and a comprehensive international touring program, the Academy is known by classical audiences around the world.
Today the Academy is led by Music Director Joshua Bell, retaining the collegiate spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductor-less ensemble that has become an Academy hallmark. Under Mr. Bell’s direction, and with the support of Leader/Director Tomo Keller and Principal Guest Conductor Murray Perahia, the Academy continues to push the boundaries of play-directed performance, presenting symphonic repertory and chamber music at prestigious venues around the globe.
In the 2019–20 season, the orchestra celebrates its sixtieth anniversary with projects in the UK and beyond, including a Gala concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, UK and US tours with Mr. Bell, a European tour with Murray Perahia, and collaborations with artists including clarinetist Jörg Widmann and pianist Fazil Say.
Complementing a busy international schedule, the Academy continues to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds through its learning and participation programs. The orchestra’s composition and performance workshops are now intergenerational, including older individuals. The Academy also provides a creative outlet for some of London’s most vulnerable adults at a center for homeless people in London.
The Academy’s work in the US is supported by Maria Cardamone and Paul Matthews together with the American Friends of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Exclusive Management for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields: OPUS 3 ARTISTS 470 Park Avenue South, 9th Floor North, New York, NY 10016 | www.opus3artists.com
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS
Joshua Bell Music Director
Sir Neville Marriner CH, CBE Founding President
Murray Perahia KBE Principal Guest Conductor
Tomo Keller Leader/Director
FIRST VIOLINS
Joshua Bell
Harvey de Souza
Robert Salter
Gabrielle Painter
Helen Paterson
Jeremy Morris
Fiona Brett
Rebecca Scott
Richard Milone
Sijie Chen
SECOND VIOLINS
Martin Burgess
Jennifer Godson
Mark Butler
Clare Hayes
Antonia Kessel
Alicja Smietana
Simon Lewis
Ruth Funnell
VIOLAS
Fiona Bonds
Ian Rathbone
Alexandros Koustas
Triona Milne
Matt Maguire
Catherine Bradshaw
CELLOS
Stephen Orton
Will Schofield
Judith Herbert
Juliet Welchman
Reinoud Ford
Rebecca Knight
BASSES
Lynda Houghton
Benjamin Russell
David Johnson
FLUTES
Michael Cox
Sarah Newbold
PICCOLO
Rebecca Larsen
OBOES
John Roberts
Rachel Ingleton
CLARINETS
Fiona Cross
Tom Lessels
BASSOONS
Julie Price
Richard Skinner
CONTRABASSOON
Julie Andrews
HORNS
Stephen Stirling
Joanna Hensel
Peter Francomb
Jamie Shield
TRUMPETS
Mark David
William O’Sullivan
TROMBONES
Becky Smith
Andrew Cole
Joseph Arnold
TIMPANI
Matthew Perry
PERCUSSION
Julian Poole
Chris Blundell
ORCHESTRA MANAGER
Nigel Barratt
ADMINISTRATION
Alan Watt Chief Executive
Alison Tedbury
Director of Concerts
Hannah Bache
Concerts and Tours Manager
Lesley Wynne Orchestra Personnel Manager
Aimee Walton
Concerts and Participation Assistant
Charlotte O’Dair Head of Learning and Participation
Susie York Skinner Director of Development
Amy Scott
Senior Development Manager
Freya Littlehales Development Assistant
Jacob Cohen
Head of US Development
David Hills Finance Manager
Ellie Dragonetti Marketing and
Communications Manager
Rebecca Driver Media Relations
PR Consultant
FOR OPUS 3 ARTISTS
David V. Foster President & CEO Leonard Stein
Senior Vice President, Director, Touring Division
Robert Berretta
Vice President, Manager, Artists & Attractions
Tania Leong
Associate,Touring Division
Grace Hertz Assistant, Artists & Attractions
John C. Gilliland III
Company Manage
