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| Zoë Beyers leads Britten Sinfonia at Westminster Abbey (Photo: Shoël Stadlen) |
Britten Sinfonia has announced that violinist Zoë Beyers is to become the orchestra’s new Leader. She will replace Jacqueline Shave and Thomas Gould, who shared this role for over a decade. Beyers’ association with Britten Sinfonia began over 20 years ago, when she was a frequent guest in then-leader Jacqueline Shave’s first violin section. In the past year, she has worked regularly with the orchestra as Leader and Director notably in a Westminster Abbey concert that featured her as soloist in Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending.
Her first concerts as Leader take place this August at the BBC Proms in Bristol Beacon (23 August) and Snape Maltings Concert Hall (27 August), where she will direct and lead Britten Sinfonia in music by Sibelius, Arvo Pärt, Gavin Higgins and Mozart. She then returns for several further performances in early 2026, before taking on the role fully for the 2026/7 season. In addition to her new post with Britten Sinfonia, she will continue to serve as Leader of the BBC Philharmonic.
Britten Sinfonia will also continue to collaborate with a range of guest directors, including Jacqueline Shave, who returns for a project with Jeneba Kanneh-Mason this September, and Max Baillie with his ZRI Quintet next April. After 20 distinguished years with Britten Sinfonia, Thomas Gould will step down following concerts in October 2025.
Zoë Beyers commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Britten Sinfonia as Leader. I’ve felt a special affinity with this brilliant group of players since Jackie first introduced me to them when I was fresh out of music college. The orchestra’s adventurous spirit, dedication to new music and deep chamber music sensibility make it a very inspiring place to work. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter together.”
Full details from Britten Sinfonia’s website.
