Irishman John Gilhooly became Director of Wigmore Hall in 2005, aged 32, making him the youngest leader of any of the world’s greatest concert Halls. John is a native of Limerick city, which boasts a strong chamber music and opera tradition. He was educated at University College, Dublin, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. In addition to his academic studies, tenor John pursued classical vocal studies at the Dublin City College of Music and the Leinster School of Music, under the tuition of Dr. Veronica Dunne, and continued his vocal studies with baritone Neil Howlett in Manchester.

John joined Wigmore Hall in October 2000, as Executive Director where he oversaw all financial, staffing, operational, administrative and strategic planning functions of the organisation, and led the Hall’s recent successful capital appeals, refurbishment, and other projects. He is a Director of the Association of British Concert Promoters (ABCP), Honorary Secretary of The Royal Philharmonic Society, and a Trustee of The Opera Group and The London String Quartet Foundation and was an occasional broadcaster on Irish radio (RTE), presenting classical and chamber music programmes. In 2005, John Gilhooly became overall Director of Wigmore Hall, adding artistic programming and administration to his executive role and overseeing the largest chamber music series in the world.