Francesca Gilbert
Francesca Gilbert was born in London and began playing the viola at the Junior Guildhall's String Training Programme. She has studied with Susan Thompson, David Takeno and Matthew Jones at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Francesca enjoys a varied performance career and plays regularly with orchestras and ensembles across the UK and abroad. Recent appearances include Aurora Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
Francesca is a member of the Gildas Quartet, an award winning string quartet equally passionate about new music and works from the quartet canon. In addition to this, she regularly performs with various ensembles and at international chamber music festivals. Recent collaborations have included the Consone Quartet, Ensemble Hesperi, the Oxford Bach Soloists, Metéōra Kammermusikfest Arnsberg and the Southwell Music Festival.
During the pandemic, Francesca perfected her sourdough recipe however since performing life started up again her starter has sadly sat neglected at the back of the fridge. When not playing various violas, Francesca likes to run around Epping Forest and drink coffee.