Julian Perkins

Described as ‘exuberantly stylish’ by the Sunday Times, Julian Perkins is Artistic Director of Cambridge Handel Opera and Founder Director of Sounds Baroque. He has appeared at the Salzburg Festival, Edinburgh International Festival and BBC Proms, and performed concertos with ensembles including Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orchestra of The Sixteen and Florilegium. In addition to performing as the solo harpsichordist for productions at the Royal Opera House, Welsh National Opera and Northern Ireland Opera, he has featured on the BBC Early Music Show and played at venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, New York’s Lincoln Center and Sydney Opera House. An avid recitalist, Julian has broken new ground at over a dozen international festivals in giving solo concerts on the clavichord. His various recordings have been described as ‘monumental’ (American Record Guide), ‘a virtuoso showcase’ (The Guardian) and ‘exemplary’ (MusicWeb International).

With Sounds Baroque, Julian has directed performances with Simon Callow, Peter Capaldi, Rebecca Evans, Dame Emma Kirkby, Mark Padmore, Christopher Purves, Timothy West and David Wilson-Johnson. He has also directed the Academy of Ancient Music, conducted eighteen Baroque projects with Southbank Sinfonia, and conducted opera productions for organisations including the Buxton International Festival, Cambridge Handel Opera, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Kings Place, Netherlands Opera Academy, New Chamber Opera, New Kent Opera and Snape Maltings.

Julian read music at King’s College, Cambridge, before pursuing advanced studies at the Schola Cantorum, Basle and the Royal Academy of Music, London. He is a visiting coach at the Royal Opera House, and regularly gives masterclasses at the National Opera Studio, music colleges and universities both in the UK and abroad.

Photo: Richard Bram