Artistic Leadership

Julian Perkins, Artistic Director

Dubbed ‘‘The Indiana Jones of Early Music’’ by BBC Radio 3, Julian Perkins brings a dynamic and adventurous spirit to all of his music-making. As Artistic Director of Portland Baroque Orchestra, he loves collaborating with his fellow musicians to create thrilling, historically inspired – yet contemporary – performances, combining artistic excellence with meaningful scholarship. He is also the Founding Artistic Director of Cambridge Handel Opera and the period-instrument ensemble Sounds Baroque in the UK while enjoying a busy and varied international career as a conductor/director, chamber musician, and solo keyboard player.

Julian has been praised as both conductor and keyboard soloist for his “demonic intensity” (BBC Music Magazine Recording of the Month), and “fluid and natural pacing” (Gramophone Editor’s Choice), conducting “as if every bar means the world to him” (Opera Disc of the Month). He was shortlisted for the 2021 Gramophone Award for his recording of Eccles’ Semele with the Academy of Ancient Music, and in August 2023 his solo disc, Handel’s Attick, was the first clavichord recording to be Instrumental Choice in BBC Music Magazine.

With Sounds Baroque, Julian has directed many acclaimed performances with such singers as Dame Emma Kirkby, Ian Bostridge, Rebecca Evans, James Gilchrist, Mark Padmore, Christopher Purves, and Carolyn Sampson, and actors Peter Capaldi, Simon Callow, and Timothy West. He has directed numerous instrumental groups and choirs ranging from the Academy of Ancient Music, Croatian Baroque Ensemble, Deutsche Händel-Solisten, Juilliard415, New London Singers and Tesserae Baroque to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra & Master Chorale, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, and St. Paul’s Sinfonia, and conducted notable staged and concert productions ranging from over a dozen of Handel’s operas and oratorios to Stephen Dodgson’s opera, Margaret Catchpole. Earlier in his career, he worked closely with many leading conductors, including Ivor Bolton, Harry Christophers, Christopher Hogwood, Vladimir Jurowski, and Trevor Pinnock.

As a keyboard player, Julian performs regularly at the Salzburg Festival and has given concerto performances with ensembles including the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orchestra of The Sixteen, and Florilegium. He has appeared as solo harpsichordist or fortepianist for the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Welsh National Opera, among others. Active as a recitalist, Julian often performs with renowned instrumentalists and singers, has featured on All Classical Radio and BBC Radio 3, and breaks new ground at international festivals by giving solo clavichord concerts. His prize-winning discography includes world-premiere recordings of over 30 works by composers ranging from Daniel Purcell to Héloïse Werner.

Passionate about education, Julian​ is an advocate of what he terms ‘‘Historically Inspired Performance’’​. He has led many Baroque and Classical projects with ​the Oregon Bach Festival, London’s Sinfonia Smith Square​ and National Opera Studio, the​ conservatories in Amsterdam, The Hague and London​, and given masterclasses at The Juilliard School in New York, Royal College of Music in London, Venice Conservatory, and the universities of Cambridge and Oxford.

julianperkins.com