Marie-Christine Zupancic is Section Leader Flute of the renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra which performs regularly in Europe's most famous concert halls. She frequently appears as a soloist with her orchestra as well; most recently in Weinberg's 1st flute concerto  under the baton of Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla, which they also recorded for Deutsche Grammophon. 

 

Born in Germany, Marie-Christine studied at the Conservatoire in Cologne with Professor Robert Winn. She won numerous prizes in international flute competitions in Cremona, Moulins, Cracow and Bayreuth. After graduating in Cologne she won a place at the distinguished Karajan Academy and subsequently played with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for two years. Highlights included a tour of the US under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle.

 

Chamber music has always been an important part of Marie-Christine's life. During her studies she was awarded a scholarship with "Villa Musica" with her woodwind quintet and toured China and South America. In Birmingham she is a regular guest at the chamber music series "Centre Stage". In June 2014 she was invited to play at Lars Vogt's festival "Spannungen" in Heimbach, Germany. The live recording of Mahler 4 in Erwin Stein's chamber music version won the Mahler Record Prize 2015.

 

Marie-Christine is very dedicated to promoting new music. She joined the BirminghamContemporary Music Group in 2006 and premiered many pieces with the ensemble.  Oliver Knussen's "O Hototogisu! fragment of a Japonisme" for soprano, flute and large ensemble which was written for her and the soprano Claire Booth was premiered at the Aldeburgh Festival 2017 under the baton of the composer.

 

On top of a busy concert schedule, Marie-Christine teaches at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, gives masterclasses in the UK and internationally and leads sectional rehearsals.

 

She plays a 14k Brannen-Cooper rose gold flute with a Brannen/Lafin headjoint that was handmade for her in Boston, MA in 2013.