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Fantasia Orchestra Appoints Michael Garvey As Executive Director
15
January
2025
Fantasia Orchestra announces the appointment of Michael Garvey as its first Executive Director.
Garvey brings with him a wealth of experience in the classical music world, having held the positions of Executive Director of the Benedetti Foundation, Director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Chief Executive of the Academy of Ancient Music, and General Manager of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Fantasia looks forward to a series of high-profile performances in 2025 following its BBC Proms debut in 2024 and welcomes Garvey to the team at this exciting moment in its history.
He will work with Conductor and Artistic Director Tom Fetherstonhaugh to shape the orchestra’s growth, realise its artistic vision, and build on the successes of Fantasia’s recent seasons.
Garvey takes up this newly created role in January 2025 following a competitive recruitment process and will hold the position alongside his portfolio of freelance work.
Michael Garvey (Executive Director) said, “I'm very excited to be invited to work with Tom and the Fantasia musicians, supporting them as they look to realise some really ambitious growth plans. What an amazing start this fascinating ensemble has had. The energy, quality and innovative approach that they have to music-making is infectious and I'm delighted to be part of the team.”
Tom Fetherstonhaugh (Conductor and Artistic Director) said, "I am delighted that Michael will be joining the Fantasia team as Executive Director. He brings visionary thinking and decades of leadership experience in the orchestral world, a powerful combination for Fantasia as we make our next steps after our two BBC Proms in the summer. I cannot wait to start our work together!”
Fantasia Orchestra was founded in 2016 and is home to the best of young British classical music talent today. It has recently collaborated with eminent soloists including Martin James Bartlett, Alim Beisembayev, Jess Gillam, Thomas Gould, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Vadym Kholodenko, Jennifer Pike, Laura van der Heijden, and Steven Osborne.
Fantasia’s BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall in August featured soloists and long-time collaborators Sheku and Braimah Kanneh-Mason and Plínio Fernandes and won them a host of new admirers as they brought their trademark energy and vibrancy to the famous festival. Their repertoire included music by musicians as diverse as Bartók, Brahms, Dvorak, Laura Mvula, Piazzolla, and Nile Rodgers and Chic.
Performances in 2025 include returns to Newbury Spring Festival (22 May), Northern Aldborough Festival with violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen (12 June), and Proms at St. Jude’s with the world’s premier solo percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie (21 June), and a debut at Deal Music and Arts Festival with soprano Lucy Crowe OBE (11 July).
Press & PR
For further information and interviews please contact:
Arabella Neville-Rolfe for ANRPR on 07815025364, arabella@anrpr.co.uk