Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Poet of the Violin

Virtuoso’s dazzling flights of freedom.

Vivacious. Fierce. Expressive. These are just some of the words used to describe Leila Schayegh, one of the world’s most acclaimed Baroque violinists. Making her long-awaited Australian debut, the Swiss-Iranian musician takes to the stage as Guest Director to lead the Brandenburg through a brightly textured program of Baroque masterworks from JS Bach, Leclair and Zelenka.

Celebrated throughout Europe for her expressive interpretations of classical and contemporary repertoire, Leila has carved a singular career. She performs on an instrument made in Cremona in 1675 by legendary luthier and founder of Casa Guarneri, Andrea Guarneri. In a simple twist of fate, the exceptionally promising, then seven-year-old violin student, saw the course of her musical life forever changed when she was offered the chance to become the custodian of the rare instrument.

Since 2010, Leila has been Professor of Baroque violin at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland. Her performances are pure poetry and convey the freedom of a true virtuoso unrestrained by technical limitations. An unmissable season highlight.