Chamber Orchestra of Europe Appoints New Leader and Director

Polish violinist Maria Włoszczowska will step into the role

The Polish violinist Maria Włoszczowska has been appointed as the new Leader and Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE). She will share the position with the current Leader and Director, Lorenza Borrani.

The recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Emily Anderson Prize, the Hattori Foundation Senior Award, and Poland's Minister of Culture and National Heritage Prize, Włoszczowska studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Hungarian violinist and conductor András Keller.

She frequently appears as guest leader of high-profile ensembles such as the COE and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen — and is presently Leader of the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

An experienced chamber musician, Włoszczowska has appeared alongside Thomas Adès, Alasdair Beatson, Philippe Graffin, Benjamin Grosvenor, Steven Isserlis, Steven Osborne, Hyeyoon Park, Timothy Ridout, and the Doric String Quartet. She leads the Valo Quartet, which launched last season.

As a soloist, Włoszczowska made her BBC Proms debut playing Kaija Saariaho’s Vers toi qui es si loin during the 2022/23 season. She regularly plays at Wigmore Hall and at international festivals such as Musikdorf Ernen in Switzerland, Lammermuir Festival, and IMS Prussia Cove.

The COE has also recently appointed horn player Benoit de Barsony, who will share his role 50:50 with Jasper de Waal.

"What an adventure to look forward to!" Włoszczowska said. "I’m so grateful to the COE for their trust, openness and warmth. To be welcomed with such a positive spirit by a group I’ve listened to and admired most of my life is a dream come true."

"After seven years of guest projects, I’m very proud to become a member of the COE!" said Benoit de Barsony. "I have been able to experience such incredible moments of music with this orchestra that is already steeped in history and at the same time very modern in its artistic choices. The mix of all these artistic personalities of all nationalities creates something unique and powerful."

"A very warm welcome from us all at the COE, Benoit and Maria!" the COE wrote.