Thierry BARBE
Thierry Barbe is principal double bass at the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris, double bass teacher at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris, as well as at the National Regional Conservatory of Saint Maur
Born in Metz in the Lorraine region of Eastern France, Thierry studied piano and double bass while simultaneously pursuing a degree in science before devoting himself exclusively to music at the CNSMDP. Here he studied music theory and analysis (Casterede), music history (François-Sappey), harmony (Raynaud), counterpoint (Henry), electroacoustic music (Zbar), conducting (Dervaux), and of course double bass (Rollez).
Thierry’s approach to teaching is based on a solid understanding of harmony as a composer, which places value on a natural phrasing. With the Opéra National, Thierry has played with many respected conductors and for 10 years shared a stand with François Rabbath, who later became his teacher, giving him a free, open-minded attitude. In 1999, Thierry succeeded Pierre Hellouin as president of the Association des Bassistes et Contrebassistes de France (ABCDF) with which he organized the Bass 2008 international successful convention in Paris. He also served as a board member for the International Society of Bassists.
From 2000 to 2008, each year in France, ABCDF organised bass competitions for all ages categories, which encouraged the development of our young bass virtuosos.
Thierry has given masterclasses in more than 20 countries. Alongside Marin Béa, Thierry is artistic director of the Biarritz International Bass Academy, bass summer camp every August for six years.