Sydney-born German-based violinist Natalie Chee is to join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as its new Concertmaster in January 2026. She takes over from Dale Barltrop, who stepped down in 2023 after a decade in the chair. Tair Khisambeev is the current Acting Associate Concertmaster and Anne-Marie Johnson is the Acting Assistant Concertmaster.

Natalie Chee. Photo © Duncan Smith

Chee has been Concertmaster of Cologne’s Gürzenich Orchestra since 2019. She previously held the same role at the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (2009–2019) and Camerata Salzburg (2000–2009). She has also served in a guest capacity for several other European orchestras, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Chee has played with the Australian World Orchestra since its debut in 2011, where she has held the position of Co-Concertmaster.

New Zealand-born harpsichordist, synthesiser artist and organist Donald Nicolson has been named the next Principal Music Director of Melbourne’s Genesis Baroque. An expert in music from 17th- and 18th-century Europe, he completed a PhD in Musicology at the University of Melbourne in 2018. He is the convenor of the Early Music Studio at The University of Melbourne and maintains a busy performing schedule with Genesis Baroque, Latitude...