After thirty-five years at the helm of San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (and a career that spans several decades), British conductor Nicholas McGegan is set to receive a lifetime achievement award. From Rameau to Handel, from the harpsichord to the podium, we look back at the career of a leading musician who has helped revive a whole swath of the Baroque repertoire. 
By Janos Gereben
Nicholas McGegan was Music Director of Philharmonia Baroque for 35 years (from 1985 to 2020), where he currently acts as Music Director Emeritus. At 76, the British harpsichordist, flautist, and conductor—a leading figure in historically informed performance—has overseen more than a hundred recordings and helped establish the ensemble as one of the international benchmarks of the Baroque repertoire. November 2025 saw the premiere of Passion: a Celebration of Music and Community, a documentary directed by Tal Skloot to highlight McGegan’s 75th birthday. The film looks back at the decades he has devoted to conducting around the world. Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010 and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Handel Prize (1993) and the Medal of Honour of the City of Göttingen (2011), he is now set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale. He will be celebrated on April 10, during the orchestra’s spring gala. He reflects on his long career.
Le Temple de la Gloire
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