Gerald Peregrine

Cello

 

Gerald is an established soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, who regularly performs in Ireland, Europe, the Americas and Asia. He is regarded as one of the leading Irish artists of his generation and has gained much critical acclaim as a soloist and chamber musician.
Based in Dublin, Gerald is a member of the critically acclaimed Ensemble Avalon, who have recently completed a 3-year residency as the first ever trio in residence at Trinity College Dublin. This was the first ever residency in an Irish university by an all Irish ensemble. Their first disc was released on the RTE Lyric FM label to critical acclaim both at home and abroad. The trio undertook their first North American tour in November 2011, performing at Princeton University, Washington Conservatory and New York, and recently performed the Beethoven triple concerto in Belfast and Dublin in April 2014.
As a chamber musician, he has performed with international artists such as Patricia Rozario, Barry Douglas, Rosey Chan, Anthony Pleeth, Catherine Leonard. He has given numerous solo recitals in all the major venues in Ireland, as well as at major festivals in Asia and Europe He was the National Concert Hall’s rising star in 2004, and also represented Ireland in the European Young Musician of the Year competition in 1996.
 Gerald is a member of Trio Festivale, who since 2008 have toured Asia extensively, as well as North America. They were guest lecturers at Beijing conservatory in 2012, and have performed on Hong Kong radio and tv. They will undertake a 3-week tour of the USA in autumn 2014, their 3rd major tour of the continent. The trio made their Carnegie hall debut in Weill hall in 2010.
Gerald is also an established orchestral performer and is a co-principal of Camerata Ireland, touring globally under the direction of Barry Douglas. He is a member of Camerata’s small chamber ensemble, Cameratino, having performed recently in Dublin, Belfast and Paris.
He has also held the post of co-principal cellist of the Wexford Opera festival orchestra since 2006. This is considered one of the most important opera festivals in the world. Previous orchestral experience includes sub-principal RTE Symphony (2003-2005). He is also principal of the Orchestra of Ireland.
As a soloist, Gerald has performed with all the major Irish orchestras and is regularly featured on radio. He released his debut CD Heavenly in 2007. His new solo CD will be released at the end of 2014.
In Feb 2014 he recorded the solo cello score to the upcoming John Boorman film ‘Queen and Country’ accompanied by the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. The film recently premiered to strong reviews at the Cannes film festival. He has also been a featured soloist on scores for recent film productions by BBC One and Sky One.
As a session musician Gerald has recorded or performed with the following artists- Brian Wilson, Bono, Jamiroquai, Sinead O Connor, Josh Groban, Westlife, Katie Mellula, Andrea Bocelli, Rita Coolidge, Jose Carreras, Daniel O Donnell, Hayley Westenra, Celtic Woman, Frank Patterson, The Chieftains, Sharon Corr, The Priests and Clannad among others. He recently recorded a new chamber CD for Howard Shore, one of Hollywood’s leading composers.
He performed live at the 1999 MTV Europe Awards and has also performed chamber recitals for The Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
From the age of 15, Gerald commuted regularly to London for tuition with William Pleeth O.B.E., who was the mentor of the late Jacqueline Du Pre. He completed his undergraduate studies as a Foundation scholar at the Royal College of Music under Steven Doane. Gerald also holds a Hons masters degree from the university of Limerick. He completed his postgraduate studies as a prestigious Fulbright scholar at Indiana University, under Emilio Colon and the late Janos Starker.