Peter Whelan, Artistic Partner

The National Concert Hall is pleased to announce the acclaimed Irish conductor Peter Whelan as National Symphony Orchestra Ireland Artistic Partner. 

This newly created artistic role will see Peter form a close and regular working relationship with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland on an annual basis, allowing opportunity to explore repertoire of shared interest, particularly that informed by an approach rooted in, but not limited to, an historical perspective.

Peter’s first concerts as Artistic Partner will take place in January and April 2026 as part of the National Concert Hall’s Spring/Summer Classical Season. In these, he will focus on works by composers ranging from Joseph Bologne and Mozart to Mendelssohn, Weber and Brahms. 

About Peter Whelan

Olivier Award-winner Peter Whelan is among the most dynamic and versatile exponents of historically informed performance of his generation. 

He is currently Artistic Director of Irish Baroque Orchestra and Curator for Early Music of Norwegian Wind Ensemble. In addition to taking up the role of Artistic Partner with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland in January 2026, he becomes Music Director of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra from the 2026-2027 season and is Music Director Designate in 2025-2026.

As a conductor, Peter has a particular passion for exploring and championing neglected music from the Baroque and Classical eras. Recent engagements have included appearances with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The English Concert, Dunedin Consort, Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, Gluck’s Orfeo with San Francisco Opera, Vivaldi’s L’Olimpiade with Irish National Opera (across Ireland and the Royal Opera House, London) and Handel’s Rodelinda at Garsington Opera.

Highlights of the 2025-2026 season include an appearance at the BBC Proms with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and return visits to Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Meininger Hofkapelle, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, Tapiola Sinfonietta and Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists.

Peter’s artistic direction in live performance and the recording studio has been widely praised for its ‘rich insight, style and charisma’ (The Guardian), its ‘stylish verve’ (BBC Music Magazine), and ‘energetic yet unfailingly sensitive direction’ (Gramophone). As a champion of early music and opera, Peter represents ‘the very best of contemporary trends in bringing this music to life: flex and zest with tempi, lithe and vigorous… an incredible alertness to colours and moods summoned by the cut-and-thrust harmonic footwork of this music’ (Operawire) and ‘The English Concert and their musical director Peter Whelan brought Handel’s fabulous score to life in a performance of surpassing rhythmic energy, richly dramatic colouring and heart-breaking lyrical grace’ (The Telegraph).