We're delighted to announce that Garry Walker has joined the Rayfield Allied roster for general management.
Scottish-born Garry Walker is currently Chief Conductor of the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie, and Music Director of Opera North. He has previously held positions as Permanent Guest Conductor of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Principal Conductor of Paragon Ensemble, and Artistic Director of Conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
“Garry Walker’s conducting is first rate.” Andrew Clements, The Guardian (SAWER The Skating Rink at Garsington Opera)
“Conducting was Garry Walker, now the company’s Music Director Designate. It is a welcome appointment. He is an excellent musician who has yet to receive the recognition he deserves. His account of Martinů’s great work fully realised its intensity and dramatic power. The Greek Passion, both in production and performance, is one of Opera North’s finest achievements.” Anthony Arblaster, Opera Now (MARTINU The Greek Passion with Opera North)
“…Opera North’s equally superb orchestra, which delivered a brilliantly vivid, sharply etched account under conductor Garry Walker, full of surging drama and also moments of exquisite contemplation.” David Kettle, The Scotsman (BRITTEN Billy Budd with Opera North)
Amongst the many international soloists with whom Garry Walker has collaborated are Maxim Vengerov, Sarah Chang, Jonas Kaufmann, Truls Mørk, Mischa Maisky, James Ehnes, David Geringas and Branford Marsalis.
An experienced opera conductor Garry Walker has conducted David McVicar’s acclaimed new production of Britten The Turn of the Screw and Raskatov A Dog’s Heart for English National Opera, Cimarosa The Secret Marriage for Scottish Opera, Janacek The Cunning Little Vixen and the critically acclaimed world premiere of Sawer The Skating Rink for Garsington Opera, the world première of Stuart MacRae’s opera The Assassin Tree and Britten Curlew River for the Edinburgh International Festival and the McRae and Poulenc La Voix Humaine for the Linbury Studio (Royal Opera House). For Opera North he has conducted Billy Budd, Gianni Schicchi/The Rite of Spring double-bill and Martinů The Greek Passion. On the continent he has conducted The Curlew River for Lyon Opera, and a new production by Calixto Bieito of Hosokawa Hanjo at the Ruhr Triennale.
His discography includes works by Havergal Brian and Matthew Taylor on Toccata Classics, Edward Harper on Delphian and Dvorak on Sony.
For the 21/22 season he will conduct new productions of Carmen and Rigoletto as well as concert performances with the orchestra including Mahler 2.
We are thrilled to welcome Garry to the Rayfield Allied roster, where he will be managed by Nicki Wenham and Sophie Richardson.
