UK's The Glasshouse Names New Artistic Partner

Over a three-year period, violinist Maria Włoszczowska will work closely with the Royal Northern Sinfonia as director, soloist, and chamber player

Polish violinist Maria Włoszczowska has been named as one of three new Artistic Partners with The Glasshouse, a genre-crossing live music space in the north-east of England. Over a three-year period, she will curate concerts and create new music, collaborating with musicians who already work at the venue.

As part of the partnership, Włoszczowska will continue her collaboration with the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Principal Conductor Dinis Sousa. She will focus particularly on directing work, as well as solo and chamber playing.

She has already begun her work with the group, leading a chamber orchestra performance of Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 and performing Bach’s violin concertos as soloist and director. In upcoming performances, she will tackle repertoire such as Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht and Pierrot Lunaire. Alongside this work, she will also have the opportunity to collaborate with international soloists who are scheduled to play with the orchestra.

Currently the Director and Leader of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Maria Włoszczowska recently made her solo debut at the BBC Proms with Kaija Saariaho’s Vers toi qui es si loin. She collaborates regularly with artists such as Jeremy Denk, Alasdair Beatson, and Dinis Sousa, and is the recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Emily Anderson Prize.

Włoszczowska is joined at The Glasshouse by two other Artistic Partners: the GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, and the renowned English folk group The Unthanks.

"I’m so excited to embark on a new adventure at The Glasshouse as Artistic Partner," Włoszczowska said. "It’s an incredible opportunity for me to work with the orchestra in a different way, developing further the relationships with the musicians and our audience."

"Chamber music is the greatest love of my life; I’m always happy to involve more of it in everything that I do. It also offers an opportunity to involve the musicians from the orchestra in a more personal, individual way."

"Music venues are unique as places for artists to meet their audiences and have that two-way dialogue about what they’re creating," said Wendy Smith, Creative Director of The Glasshouse. "It’s an opportunity for these brilliant artists to deepen their relationships with North East music fans and to create new work made in the region."

"Over these three years Maria, Corinne and The Unthanks will bring their creativity and experience to live performances, music education, and collaboration with other artists. It’s a unique opportunity for three extraordinary artists to challenge and change what a music venue can be, and how we connect with music fans."