Nicholas Collon / Conductor - biography

Nicholas Collon is establishing an enviable reputation as a commanding and inspirational interpreter in an exceptionally wide range of music. As Principal Conductor of Aurora Orchestra he has promoted imaginative programming that integrates challenging repertoire from the 20th and 21st centuries with masterworks of the Classical and Romantic eras, alongside collaborations with artists from other art forms. Aurora Orchestra was nominated for the Royal Philharmonic Society Ensemble Award 2010.

In addition to his work with Aurora he regularly conducts other ensembles in London and is increasingly heard outside the UK. A viola player, pianist and organist by training, Nicholas studied at Clare College, Cambridge. He was awarded the 2008 Arts Foundation Fellowship for conducting, having been chosen from a list of twenty nominated British conductors.

Recent concert work includes a concert of Nico Muhly's music with Britten Sinfonia at The Roundhouse, a programme of Schumann, Piazzolla and Stravinsky with Symphonieorchester Vorarlberg, George Crumb's 'Star Child' with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Berio's Différences with the London Sinfonietta. Other engagements in the 2010/11 season include Stravinsky's 'Pulcinella' with the combined performances of the London Sinfonietta and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, a new work with the London Symphony Orchestra, and concerts with Manchester Camerata and Symphonieorchester Vorarlberg.

His operatic experience includes Walton's The Bear and Stravinsky's Renard for Mahogany Opera in 2008, described by Opera magazine's critic as 'one of the most electrifying evenings I've spent at the opera in recent seasons ... brilliant playing [by] the Aurora Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Collon, whose feel for Stravinsky's Russian colourings were beyond reproach'.' In April 2007 he conducted Mozart's The Magic Flute, directed by Sam West, in Ramallah and Bethlehem, the first-ever staged opera production in the West Bank. The same team returned to the West Bank in 2009 with performances of La Bohème. In March 2010 he conducted a new opera, 'Knight Crew' at Glyndebourne, which featured in a major BBC2 documentary. He is currently conducting Elena Langer's opera 'The Lion's Face' with The Opera Group, and will return in 2011 to conduct the world premiere of 'Seven Angels' by Luke Bedford with The Opera Group and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.

Future appearances with Aurora Orchestra in 2010/11 include their 'New Moves' series at LSO St Luke's, a series of all-Mozart concerts at Kings Place, his debut at the BBC Proms, and a cd recording of Nico Muhly's music for chamber orchestra.

June 2010

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