I Maestri is a unique organisation that helps talented young conductors, soloists, composers and musicians hone their skills and deepen their performing experience through a programme of workshops, masterclasses and public concerts. Created in London in 2001 by Music Director George Hlawiczka and with the help of their Patrons, the late Sir Neville Marriner and Jorma Panula, I Maestri enables conductors to work with the London Concert Sinfonia, an orchestra that draws musicians from the ranks of top London orchestras, chamber ensembles and music colleges, the orchestra is also open to excellent amateur musicians who have the opportunity to play next to expert colleagues.

Its inspiration was the Helsinki conducting academy under Jorma Panula and the Pierre Monteux Academy, where generations of conductors were nurtured because of having ‘an instrument’ to work with on a regular basis. Since its conception, I Maestri has become an important institution with conductors and soloists from across the world coming to work with the orchestra and in demand for tours and other events.

I Maestri made its first foreign tour in July 2007 when they toured Montenegro. In September 2010 they went to Greece to perform at the Patmos Religious Music Festival as well as performing in Delphi and Loutraki. In May 2011 they toured in Sicily to giving concers in Pozzalo, Ragusa and Comisso with Laura Nocchiero. Their future tours include Ragusa, Sicily for New Year 2012, followed by concerts in Torres Vedras, Portugal, Croatia in June 2012 and an opera residency in August 2012 in Berbiguieres, France. In May 2013 they will return again to Ragusa, Sicily. They also performed in the following years in Berlin’s Franzosische Kirche and in 2024 they have been invited to tour China in a series of concerts around the country.