Darren Hargan

Founder & Artistic Director

Darren Hargan is the Founder and Artistic Director of Le Foyer des Artistes. Originally from Derry, he is an Irish and Swiss citizen.

He began his career at the Opernhaus Zürich in Switzerland under Alexander Pereira where he was engaged for 8 years as pianist and assistant conductor, working with the most famous singers and conductors in the world. During this time he was also principal coach of the International Opera Studio, working with international casts of young singers and conducting many productions.

In addition to his work in Zürich, Darren has worked as a guest in Vienna at Theater an der Wien, Le Grand Théâtre de Genève, Wexford Opera Festival, Theater Luzern, Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Theater 11 Zürich, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Coro della Radiotelevisione Svizzera, Opera Northern Ireland, Blackwater Opera Valley Festival, Selzach Summer Opera Festival, Zürcher Kammerorchester, Locarno Film Festival, and American Music Institute in Graz. 

He has conducted the Philharmonia Opernhaus Zürich, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Voralberg Sinfonieorchester in Bregenz, ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Vienna, Arnold Schoenberg Choir, and the Karlsbader Sinfonieorchester in the Czech Republic.

He was awarded a full scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London where he was awarded the special prize for performance. He also studied at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.