Born in South Africa, Gérard Korsten began his career as a violinist, after studying with Ivan Galamian at the Curtis Institute and with Sándor Végh in Salzburg. Following his studies in the United States and Europe, he became concertmaster and assistant music director of the Camerata Salzburg and later concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (1987–1996). In 2005 he was appointed principal conductor of the Symphonieorchester Vorarlberg, Bregenz.

His past engagements include concerts with the Budapest Festival, Leipzig Gewandhaus, BBC Scottish Symphony, Swedish Radio Symphony, and Gävle Symphony Orchestras, and he has appeared at many notable opera houses, including La Scala Milan, Royal Swedish Opera and English National Opera.

Featured among Gérard Korsten’s many recordings are Tchaikovsky’s Serenade and Souvenir de Florence with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe on Deutsche Grammophon and a DVD of Le nozze di Figaro at La Scala Milan, which was awarded a Diapason d’Or and was Critic’s Choice in Opera News.