Peter Whelan

With parallel careers as a conductor, bassoonist, and keyboardist, Peter Whelan is one of the most versatile and original performers on the historical performance scene. He is also a noted educator and ensemble leader. Whelan plays both modern and Baroque bassoon, and beginning in 2008, he served as principal bassoonist of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He was the founding director (and bassoonist) of Ensemble Marsyas, which has toured internationally and recorded chamber music of Zelenka, among others. With Ensemble Marsyas, he also became interested in Irish Baroque music, which he recorded on his 2014 album Proud Bassoon. In 2018, he was named conductor of the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra issued albums annually, including Mr Charles the Hungarian: Handel's Rival in Dublin in 2023.