The Blackheath Chamber Music Festival (BCMF) has announced violinist Lerida Delbridge as its new Artistic Director. She will take over the role in 2027 from founding Artistic Director Catherine Harker, who steps down after six years.

“I have been privileged to play in several BCMFs in previous years, and I am thrilled and deeply honoured that Catherine has entrusted me with the future of BCMF,” said Delbridge.

Lerida Delbridge. Photo © C Brewster

“I look forward to building on the remarkable foundation she has established. Blackheath is such a unique, community-minded town in the Blue Mountains landscape, I look forward to engaging with the community and bringing Australia’s preeminent musicians together for a tremendous weekend of music making”.

Delbridge is the Artistic Director of Hunters Hill Music, a chamber music concert series in Northern Sydney.

In January, Delbridge was appointed Principal Second Violin of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She first joined the SSO in 2013 as Assistant Concertmaster, and has also performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and the Auckland Philharmonic.

Delbridge is a founding member of the Tinalley String Quartet, with whom she has performed across Europe, North America and Australia. The quartet was awarded first place in both the 2007 Banff International String Quartet Competition and the 2005 Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition.

“In a short time, [BCMF] has become a unique, significant entity in the Australian arts arena, and I am delighted to announce I am passing the baton to Lerida Delbridge as Festival Director, commencing with the 2027 Festival,” said Harker.

“Lerida has been an exciting performer at several of our Festivals: she has an illustrious career and is vibrant and creative. The Blackheath Chamber Music Festival future will be bright with Lerida at the helm.”

The 2027 BCMF will be presented across 16–18 April, with the program to be announced in October.

More about the Blackheath Chamber Music Festival can be found here.