Marieke Blankestijn, Leader

Marieke Blankestijn was born in The Hague, studied in Salzburg with Sandor Vegh, and at the age of 21 won the International Mozart Competition. She is a founder member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe of which she was appointed Leader in 1985. She also directs and appears as soloist with the COE, with whom she has recorded all the Brandenburg Concertos and her own recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, both to great critical acclaim. Marieke is principal guest Leader with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and frequently appears as guest Leader with The English Chamber Orchestra as well as may other European orchestras. She leads the Gaudier Ensemble, with whom she has recorded twelve discs for Hyperion Records, in addition to recording the Haydn Sinfonia Concertante with Stephen Isserlis and the Vivaldi and Bach Oboe and Violin concertos with Douglas Boyd.