Richard Lester

Richard Lester is a distinguished cellist, chamber musician, and educator at the Royal College of Music, where he holds roles as Cello Tutor and Chamber Music Coach. His career spans over four decades with major orchestras like the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He has been a principal cellist since 1989 and frequently collaborates with leading conductors and ensembles globally.

• Roles: Cello Tutor (Strings, Harp & Guitar Department), Chamber Music Coach
• Ensembles: Florestan Trio (1999–2012, Grammy & RPS Award-winners), Domus, Hausmusik
• Artistic Leadership: Co-director of Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival with Anthony Marwood

His research interests focus on historical performance practices, chamber music collaboration, and pedagogy. Lester’s recordings, including benchmark Mendelssohn and Boccherini collections on Hyperion, emphasize period instrument authenticity. He has performed as a concerto soloist with orchestras such as the BBC Scottish SO and Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Awarded the Gramophone Award twice and the Royal Philharmonic Society Award, his artistry bridges classical performance and scholarly interpretation. He teaches masterclasses worldwide, notably at Banff and Domaine Forget.