McCreesh replaces Mariusz Smolij, who led the festival from 2002 to 2004.
McCreesh founded the Gabrieli Consort and Players in 1982 while still a student, and rapidly established a reputation as a leading conductor of historically informed performances of Baroque and Renaissance music. More recently, he has led 19th and 20th-century music as a guest conductor with many opera companies and ensembles.