Richard Laing is a conductor, violinist and writer of remarkable versatility. He is sought after as a conductor of opera, ballet and orchestral concerts, and is one of the UK’s foremost choral directors. In an age of increasing specialisation, Richard is a true polymath, bringing a wide range of knowledge and influences to his music-making.

Richard is principal guest conductor of Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, associate conductor of Chandos Symphony Orchestra and music director of Nottingham Harmonic Choir, Leicester Bach Choir, Bach Camerata and Leamington Chamber Orchestra. He regularly undertakes choral preparation for the nation’s finest orchestras. For the Hallé he has prepared Alexander Nevsky, The Music Makers, The Planets, Belshazzar’s Feast and Poulenc’s Gloria and undertaken off-stage conducting and pre-concert talks; for the BBC Symphony Orchestra has prepared Carmina Burana. He has collaborated with a diverse range of cross-over artists, including Alfie Boe, Tim Minchin and Radio 1 DJ Bobby Friction. He has premiered dozens of new works including works by Philip Sawyers, Paul Patterson, Deborah Pritchard and Bernd Redmann, and frequently leads orchestral and choral workshops around the UK. Richard is also reviews editor of The Wagner Journal, the world’s foremost publication devoted to Wagner; in this role he commissions and writes reviews of operatic productions around the world.