Simon Rickard is a specialist in historical bassoons. He studied at the Canberra School of Music and the Koninklijk Conservatorium in the Hague. He has toured and recorded with countless period ensembles including Les Arts Florissants, the Gabrieli Consort, Pinchgut Opera, the Orchestra of the Antipodes, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Opera Australia, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Latitude 37, Genesis Baroque, the Australian Haydn Ensemble, Ironwood and La Compañia, as well as his own renaissance consort, Unholy Rackett, named for the bizarre renaissance woodwind instrument in which Simon is a leading specialist.

Simon has a parallel career in gardening. Formerly the head gardener of the Diggers Club, overseeing the much-loved gardens of Heronswood and the Garden of St Erth, Simon now runs his own garden design and communication consultancy. He has presented lectures and workshops for bodies including the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and the Australian Landscape Conference, leads international tours for Botanica World Discoveries, and is the author of several gardening books.

www.simonrickard.com