David Adams is leader of the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera (WNO). He has been Co-Artistic Director of the Goldberg Ensemble since 2003, and is tutor in violin at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He was Associate Leader of City of London Sinfonia (2000 – 2005) and tutor in violin at Royal Northern College of Music (2000 – 2006). From 2005 – 2009, he was leader of the Ulster Orchestra and regularly performed as soloist with the orchestra, as well as directing and conducting it, roles he continues to pursue in his new position with WNO. This season he also directs several performances from the violin with Sinfonia Cymru.
As guest leader, David has appeared with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and many other chamber and symphony orchestras. Recent concerto engagements include the Bruch Violin Concerto and The Lark Ascending.
Equally at home on violin and viola, he was a member of the Raphael Ensemble and now makes regular guest appearances, recordings and broadcasts with the Nash Ensemble, Endellion String Quartet, Gould Piano Trio and Hebrides Ensemble. Most recently, he recorded the Stanford Piano Quartet with the Gould Piano Trio, which was Editor’s choice in Gramophone Magazine. He regularly attends the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove.
David began his studies aged 5 with his father, Principal Viola in the Hallé Orchestra. He continued his training with Malcolm Layfield at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music and then in the USA with Zvi Zeitlin and Daniel Phillips. He plays a Johannes Gagliano violin from 1800 and a Betts viola c.1840, previously played by his father. His wife is cellist Alice Neary, also a 2012 Festival guest.