Anthony Halstead was born in Manchester and had his musical training there at Chetham’s School and the Royal Manchester College of Music, studying piano French horn, organ and composition. He later studied the harpsichord with George Malcolm and conducting with Sir Charles Mackerras and Michael Rose. He made his début as a conductor with the first performance of the Elisabeth Lutyens musical drama One and the Same, going on to a career that has brought regular engagements with the Hanover Band, the Academy of Ancient Music and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, appearing with the last at the BBC Promenade Concerts in London and Berliner Bach-Tage. He has also worked with modern-instrument orchestras that have a strong interest in authentic styles of performance in a career that has brought appearances with other distinguished orchestras in Britain, throughout Europe and in Australia. As a piano accompanist, Anthony Halstead has performed with many leading soloists, including William Bennett, the late Ifor James, Thomas Martin, Crispian Steele-Perkins and Barry Tuckwell.