Miguel Rodriguez
Viola
Miguel was born in Murcia, Spain, and began his musical education at the age of 6, taking violin lessons for a year. Fate however decided that he was not be a violinist, as there were no spaces left in the violin class at the music school when he applied. He therefore decided to go for the most similar thing available – the viola.
Miguel went on to complete studies at the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country ‘Musikene’, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning with David Quiggle, Alejandro Garrido, Natasha Tchitch, Bruno Giuranna and Krzysztof Chorzelski.
He spent some time as No.2 viola with the Welsh National Opera and later joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, also as No.2. Over the years Miguel has appeared as guest principal viola with a number of orchestras including Ulster Orchestra, Opera North, BBC Concert Orchestra and Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra.
He has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, ‘bandArt’, ‘Les Dissonances’ and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
Miguel is also a keen chamber musician and has collaborated with a variety of ensembles.
He joined the Idomeneo Quartet in 2012, with whom he attended several courses and music festivals all over the world. During this time Miguel was fortunate enough to learn with the members of the Casals Quartet, Alban Berg Quartet, Mathieu Herzog, Ferenc Rados and Thomas Adès.
Away from the concert platform, Miguel enjoys coffee brewing with moderate success, as well as outdoor photography (weather allowing) and video-games (regardless of the weather).
If you would like to find out more about how you can support one of our musicians, please contact our Head of Philanthropy, Ruth Ellul, by emailing her here.
