He was captivated and excited by the group, not only for its musical prowess, but its spirit and idealism.

Mr Fletcher has been the general manager of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe since 2007, after being assistant tour manager, librarian and planning and personnel manager.

As a student of music at York University, Mr Fletcher graduated in 1984, before joining the Royal Northern College of Music to study cello.

Instead of rounding out his studies as a principal cellist of the college chamber orchestra on tour to the south of France, he asked to be the tour's manager instead, and that's where his career in arts management was born.

"My first work for the Chamber Orchestra of Europe was shortly after it was founded, but I had not yet heard the orchestra perform.

"The Chamber Orchestra of Europe has always been on the front line of questioning and informing music making," Mr Fletcher said.

"This means that familiar works are always looked at with fresh eyes and there is a sense of real discovery and thrill of live performance in each of our concerts."

The orchestra is without a geographical home, instead playing in major concert halls across the world.

For the first time in its history, members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe will perform in Australia as part of the inaugural Bendigo Chamber Music Festival.

"I understand that Bendigo has a long history of cultural activity dating back to the Gold Rush days, so we are all thrilled to be contributing to that tradition," Mr Fletcher said.

Bendigo audiences can expect to be energised by the chamber's offering, as they always put on a show, Mr Fletcher said.

"We are always only as good as our last performance and literally playing for our lives.

"I'm sure that Bendigo audiences will feel this energy," he said.

The Bendigo Chamber Music Festival takes place from Wednesday, February 5 to Sunday, February 9, 2020.

To learn more, visit bendigochambermusicfestival.com.au