Simon Francis Murphy (born 26 August 1973 in Balmain, Sydney) is an international award winning, Dutch based, Australian conductor and viola player with a focus on the music of the 18th and early 19th centuries.He is a leading member of the new generation of specialist early music performers, is regularly invited to conduct at the celebrated European music festivals and halls, and is, since 2002, the chief conductor and artistic director of The Hague's Baroque Orchestra, The New Dutch Academy (NDA).Murphy is especially notable for his pioneering work in rediscovering and reintroducing forgotten 18th century, European, symphonic composers, particularly from and related to the Mannheim School (Mannheimer Schule).
Resulting from his research, Murphy has also been responsible for unveiling the previously unknown Dutch 18th century symphonic tradition, presenting this to the world through performances, radio and TV broadcasts, and the first CD recordings of this symphonic heritage.
In particular, he has championed 18th-century composers Joseph Schmitt "The Dutch Haydn" and Francesco Zappa, making first CD recordings and new editions of their symphonic works.Murphy has won major music industry awards, including the Dutch Edison Award and Luxembourg's Supersonic Award.
In the double role of conductor/soloist (viola), Murphy has appeared at major venues and festivals including The Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Sydney Festival, Istanbul Music Festival and Premiere Performances Hong Kong.
As guest conductor he has worked with wide variety of ensembles, choirs and orchestras ranging from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra through to the Latvian State Choir and Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra.
As a performer, programmer and curator, he is also known for his work in the realm of international cultural diplomacy.