Michael Collins
Principal Conductor
Michael's dazzling virtuosity and sensitive musicianship have made him one of today's most sought-after soloists. In recent years he has become increasingly highly regarded as a conductor and from September 2010 assumed the role of Principal Conductor of City of London Sinfonia.
His successes as a conductor with both City of London Sinfonia and other orchestras with whom he works as a guest conductor, including the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, London Mozart Players, Scottish Chamber, Swedish Chamber, Tasmanian Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestras are testament to the persuasive musicianship and galvanising leadership that is evident in both his playing and conducting.
Indisputably one of the leading clarinettists of his generation, Michael has formed close alliances with conductors such as Charles Dutoit, Carlo Maria Giulini, Neeme Järvi, Tadaaki Otaka, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Leonard Slatkin and Mikhail Pletnev. He has performed as a soloist with many of the world's major orchestras, including the Philadelphia, Sydney Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus, City of Birmingham Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, BBC Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras.
Since his first performance at the BBC Proms, Michael has returned to the festival more often than any other wind soloist, including several appearances at the renowned Last Night of the Proms. As a chamber musician, he has a long standing relationship with Wigmore Hall and this season sees him enjoy a further residency there.
Recently signed to the Chandos label, Michael and CLS have recently recorded a Weber Concerto disc for release later this year.
