John Gardiner, born on April 20, 1943, in England, is a renowned conductor known for his work with numerous prestigious orchestras and opera houses around the world. He began his musical journey after obtaining a degree in history from Cambridge University. Following this, he studied music at King's College London, where he honed his skills and passion for conducting.
Gardiner's career took off when he started working with various musical ensembles, including the Covent Garden, The English National Opera, the CBC Vancouver Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Opéra National de Lyon. His talent and dedication to music led him to found the Monteverdi Orchestra, later renamed the English Baroque Soloists.
One of his notable contributions to the music world is his specialization in conducting early Baroque works. He gained recognition for his unique approach to performing these pieces on instruments that were popular during the period in which they were composed, showcasing his deep understanding and appreciation for historical music.
Despite his busy career, Gardiner managed to find love and stability in his personal life. He was married to violinist Elizabeth Wilcock for nearly twenty years, and the couple had three daughters together. After their marriage ended, Gardiner found love again with Isabella de Sabata, a direct descendant of the famous Italian composer and conductor Victor de Sabata.
Aside from his conducting career, Gardiner is also a Johann Sebastian Bach scholar and enthusiast. He led the Bach-Archiv Leipzig society and wrote and published a significant work in 2013 titled "Bach: Music in the Castle of Heaven," further solidifying his reputation as a leading authority on Baroque music.