Rachel Podger FLSW (born 30 May 1968)[1][2] is a British violinist and conductor specialising in the performance of Baroque music.
She was the leader of the Gabrieli Consort and Players and later of The English Concert from 1997 to 2002, touring extensively, often as soloist in Vivaldi's Le quattro stagioni and Grosso mogul concertos.
In 2004 she took up guest directorship of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, opening with a tour in the United States with Bach's Brandenburg Concertos.
[3] When not touring with various orchestras and other classical players, Podger works with her partner in Brecon, Mid-Wales, helping young musicians through the Mozart Music Fund, which she founded in 2006, as well as holding workshops and giving recitals.
[4] In 2006 they founded the annual Brecon Baroque Festival which is held over the penultimate weekend of October every year.