Richard Boothby

Richard Boothby is a Professor of Viola da Gamba at the Royal College of Music (RCM), specializing in Historical Performance. He is a founding member of both the Purcell Quartet (established in 1984) and Fretwork (founded in 1985), with whom he has recorded over 100 albums spanning diverse repertories from early to contemporary music.

• Active faculty member at RCM since his appointment
• Director of Monteverdi's operas with Purcell Quartet
• Commissioner of new viol repertory from composers like George Benjamin and Elvis Costello

His notable recordings include Bach's Goldberg Variations for viol consort and solo works by William Lawes and Carl Friedrich Abel. He plans future recordings of Abel's rediscovered sonatas with Mahan Esfahani and vocal works with Iestyn Davies.