The Global Notes series of concerts from Dubai Opera, Encore Performing Arts and the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai continues with Chapter Four in the Studio on 27^th January 2024. Gracing our stage with a varied and beautiful musical programme will be one of the world’s finest clarinettists, Julian Bliss, and his renowned accompanist, pianist James Baillieu, both from the United Kingdom.

A celebrated concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, recording artist, masterclass leader and self-described tireless musical explorer. Julian has performed for royalty, with dozens of top-tier orchestras around the globe, won numerous awards, and inspired a new generation of young musicians. As co-creator of his Conn-Selmer range of affordable clarinets under the Leblanc brand, he has inspired an entire generation of young players around the world and introduced a substantial new audience to his instrument. Julian started playing the clarinet aged four and went on to study in the United States at the University of Indiana and in Germany under Sabine Meyer, turning professional aged only twelve.

 In recital and chamber music he has played at most of the world’s leading festivals and halls, including Gstaad, New York’s Lincoln Center, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Verbier and London’s Wigmore Hall. As a soloist, he has appeared with a wide range of international orchestras, including the Auckland Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Paris, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sao Paolo Symphony and the Queensland Symphony.  

 Described by a leading UK paper as ‘in a class of his own’ James Baillieu is one of the leading song and chamber music pianists of his generation.  He has given solo and chamber recitals throughout the world and collaborates with a wide range of singers and instrumentalists including Benjamin Appl, Jamie Barton, Ian Bostridge, Allan Clayton, Annette Dasch, Lise Davidsen, the Elias and Heath Quartets, Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Adam Walker, and Pretty Yende.  As a soloist, he has appeared with the Ulster Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, and the Wiener Kammersymphonie. James is a frequent guest at many of the world’s most distinguished music centres including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Vancouver Playhouse, Berlin Konzerthaus, Vienna Musikverein, the Barbican Centre, Wiener Konzerthaus, Bozar Brussels, Pierre Boulez Saal, Cologne Philharmonie, and the Laeiszhalle Hamburg.  

 Sponsored by Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai 

Curated by Amira Fouad