Studied at Cambridge. He joined Opera North as a resident conductor, and from 1983 to 1987 was music director of Opera 80. In 1992 he became music director of Almeida Opera. He made his debut at Glyndebourne with Cosi fan tutte in 1996 and the same year conducted Rossini’s Ricciardo e Zoraide at the Pesaro festival. He has guested at English National Opera and has made regular appearances at opera houses and concert halls throughout Europe, particularly in Spain where he has conducted the Spanish National Orchestra. His UK engagements include concerts with the Philharmonia, the Ulster Orchestra and Bournemouth Sinfonietta. As well as work for the Chandos label, he has made many recordings with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for Opera Rara.