Christophe Rousset

Christophe Rousset (born April 12, 1961) is a French harpsichordist and conductor, specializing in the performance of baroque music on period instruments.
Born in Avignon, Rousset grew up in Aix-en-Provence and developed an interest in the harpsichord during his early teens. He studied at the Schola Cantorum in Paris under Huguette Dreyfus and from 1980 to 1983 he attended the Royal Conservatory at the Hague under Bob van Asperen. In 1983 Rousset won first prize at the 7th International Harpsichord Competition at Bruges; subsequently, his career as a soloist commenced and he appeared with ensembles such as: The Academy of Ancient Music, Les Arts Florissants, Musica Antiqua K?ln, La Petite Bande and Il Seminario Musicale. With Les Arts Florissants he gained his first conducting experience as assistant to conductor William Christie. In 1991 his ambition for conducting led to the foundation of Les Talens Lyriques, the ensemble which he has conducted to international acclaim ever since. Rousset was music director of the 1994 film Farinelli Il Castrato, based the life of Farinelli, the famous castrato. He is also active as teacher of baroque music at Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena.