Irish conductor and pianist James Sherlock has quickly established a name for himself on the podium. In the upcoming 25/26 season, he debuts with Danish National Opera (Traviata) and Norwegian National Opera (Lucretia), the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse and the Aarhus Symphony, alongside returns to the Latvian National Symphony, Odense Symphony, Danish Philharmonic, Athelas Sinfonietta and the Danish Chamber Orchestra.

In recent and future seasons, he also conducts operatic productions at Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, the Savonlinna Opera Festival (Nabucco) and returns to Finnish National Opera (Dialogues des Carmélites).

For a decade before picking up a baton, James performed widely as a pianist. He continues now to play/conduct from the piano, such as Mozart and Beethoven concerti from the piano with orchestras including the English Chamber Orchestra, and recently Brahms’ 2nd piano concerto under the baton of Tarmo Peltokoski.

With a particular love of the voice, James has worked in opera houses throughout Europe and accompanied leading singers at major Lied festivals and concerts halls worldwide, including the Wigmore and Carnegie Halls, Muziekgebouw and the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg. He has conducted the outstanding Tenebrae Choir on tours to Germany, Austria and France and the UK, as well as the National Radio Choirs of the UK, Denmark and Latvia.

James studied at Cambridge University, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Georg Solti Accademia, before completing his studies in conducting at the Sibelius Academy with Sakari Oramo, Hannu Lintu, Atso Almila and Jorma Panula. He is a top prize winner at the Royal Overseas League Competition, the Das Lied International Song Competition, BBC Performing Arts Trust, and the Award for Young Concert Artists.