Founder of the ensemble Les Talens Lyriques and an internationally acclaimed harpsichordist, Christophe Rousset is a musician and conductor driven by his passion for opera and the rediscovery of Europe’s musical heritage. His studies in harpsichord at the Schola Cantorum in Paris with Huguette Dreyfus, followed by further training at the Royal Conservatory in The […]
Founder of the ensemble Les Talens Lyriques and an internationally acclaimed harpsichordist, Christophe Rousset is a musician and conductor driven by his passion for opera and the rediscovery of Europe’s musical heritage.
His studies in harpsichord at the Schola Cantorum in Paris with Huguette Dreyfus, followed by further training at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Bob van Asperen (he won the prestigious First Prize at the 7th Bruges Harpsichord Competition at the age of 22), and the founding of his own ensemble Les Talens Lyriques in 1991, gave Christophe Rousset deep insight into the richness and diversity of the Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic repertoires.
Christophe Rousset now regularly performs across Europe with Les Talens Lyriques at venues including: the Opéra National de Paris, Opéra-Comique, Théâtre du Châtelet, Opéra Royal de Versailles, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Dutch National Opera, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonie de Paris, Opéra de Lausanne, Theater an der Wien, Vienna State Opera, La Monnaie in Brussels, Wigmore Hall and the Barbican Centre in London, BOZAR Brussels, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, as well as on international tours to Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, and beyond.
Alongside this, he maintains an active career as a harpsichordist and chamber musician, performing and recording on some of the finest historical instruments. His recordings of works for harpsichord by Louis and François Couperin, Rameau, d’Anglebert, Royer, Duphly, Forqueray, Balbastre, Scarlatti, and his complete recording of J. S. Bach’s keyboard works are regarded as benchmark interpretations.
Education is a core component of Christophe Rousset’s work. He leads and teaches masterclasses and academies at institutions such as the Paris Conservatoire (CNSMDP), Ambronay Academy, Fondation Royaumont, Opera Studio Ghent, OFJ Baroque, Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Amici della Musica in Florence, Piccola Accademia in Montisi, and the Britten-Pears Orchestra, among others.
Christophe Rousset also maintains a vibrant career as a guest conductor, appearing at venues such as the Liceu in Barcelona, San Carlo in Naples, La Scala in Milan, Opéra Royal de Wallonie, Royal Opera House in London, with the Spanish National Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Orchestra of La Monnaie, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Monteverdi Choir & Orchestra, and more.
He is also devoted to musicological research and writing, including critical editions and the publication of monographs on Rameau (2007, Actes Sud) and François Couperin (2016, Actes Sud). His book of interviews about music with Camille de Rijck (L’impression que l’instrument chante, 2017, La Rue Musicale / Philharmonie de Paris) has received wide acclaim.
One of his recent recordings, The Art of Fugue (Aparté, 2023), was praised by critics:
“Rousset (…) masters this cornerstone of polyphonic art with brilliance.” (Concerti, January 2024).
Noteworthy recent releases include the superb digital reissue of the Complete Harpsichord Works of François Couperin (Harmonia Mundi – August 2024), and the release of Complete Toccatas (Aparté – October 2024), concluding his exploration of J. S. Bach’s keyboard oeuvre.
Recent releases:
- Portraits, a live recording devoted to François Couperin (label MarchVivo)
- In Nativitatem, centred on Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit, with the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestra (label Soli Deo Gloria)
- Cublai gan Kan de’Tartari by Antonio Salieri with Les Talens Lyriques (Aparté)
Christophe Rousset is a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, and Officer of the National Order of Merit.
He was also awarded the prestigious Händel Prize by the Händel-Haus Foundation and the City of Halle in 2024.
