Orchestral Performance - Uppingham 2002

Conductor Mark Shanahan

Mark Shanahan was born in Manchester and studied at Chetham's School of Music. He took his Bachelor of Music degree at London University before joining the postgraduate conducting course at the Royal Academy of Music, London, where he was awarded the Sir Henry Wood Scholarship and went on to win first prize in the NAYO Conducting Competition in its inaugural year.

Mark began his association with English National Opera in 1991 where he conducted Jonathan Miller's production of The Mikado. He was then invited to conduct performances of Nicholas Hytner's new production of Verdi's The Force of Destiny and has since returned to conduct Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Concert performances include regular engagements at the Royal Festival Hall where programmes have included Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust and Walton's Belshazzar's Feast. He frequently conducts for the RTE Broadcasting Corporation. Film credits include Lucia, based on Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Last year he made his debut at the Royal Albert Hall with the RPO, conducted a new production of La Boheme at ENO and Bellini's Capuletti e Montecchi at Grange Park Opera. Future engagements include Cossi fan Tutti in Wales and La Traviata at the London Coliseum. Education work includes conducting the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra, Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal Scottish Academy.

Mark has conducted NSSO since 1998. We thank him for his professionalism, direction and humour.