Les Arts Florissants

“Performances so special that I feel a changed man from listening” [Gramophone]; “A stunner by any standard” [The Strad]; and “Mesmerizing” [The New Yorker] – these represent common reactions upon encountering violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte who is rapidly emerging as a much sought-after violin soloist (on both baroque and modern instruments), chamber musician, recitalist, and conductor.

Recognition has come in the form of major awards, including the 2022 “Diapason D’or of the year” for his recording of Vivaldi, Locatelli, and Leclair concertos (harmonia mundi), and the 2022 “Ambassador of the Year” award from the European Early Music Network (REMA), along with multiple additional recording awards and a February, 2022 cover story in The Strad magazine.

In solo appearances on both baroque and modern violin, de Swarte regularly offers concertos by all of the baroque masters, along with those of Haydn and Mozart.  He has appeared with Les Arts Florissants, Le Consort, Orchestre de l’Opera Royal, Holland Baroque, The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Les Ombres, and Orchestre National de Lorraine.  His engagements have brought him to prestigious venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris, Vienna’s Musikverein, Elbphilharmonie, Berlin’s Philharmonie, Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Hall, and the Shanghai National Art Center.  2023 marked debuts at Carnegie Hall, at Wigmore Hall, and his first tour of Australia.

Théotime Langlois de Swarte studied at the Paris Conservatory under Michael Hentz, and became a regular member of Les Arts Florissants at William Christie’s invitation in 2014, while still a student.  He has since appeared as soloist with the ensemble, and will perform Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with them on North American tours in spring and fall, 2025.  He has also appeared in recital with William Christie, including a 2021 recording of sonatas by Leclair and Senaille (“Generations” on harmonia mundi).

As co-founder – with harpsichordist Justin Taylor – of the baroque ensemble Le Consort, de Swarte can be heard on numerous highly-acclaimed recordings including “Specchio Veneziano”, “Opus 1”, and “Royal Handel”, all on Alpha Classics.  Le Consort has performed widely throughout Europe, and their debut North American tours in 23/24 include Montreal, Boston, Washington, Kansas City, Berkeley, Chicago, St. Paul, Louisville, New Orleans, Vancouver, and Ottawa.

Besides William Christie, frequent recital collaborators include harpsichordist Justin Taylor and lute player Thomas Dunford, with whom he recorded a much-praised album titled “The Mad Lover”.  Another notable recording, “A Concert at the Time of Proust”, was made on the newly-restored Davidoff Stradivarius at the Philharmonie de Paris Museum.   Forthcoming recordings for harmonia mundi include two major Vivaldi projects, one of which will feature “The Four Seasons” to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the work’s publication.

Alongside his instrumental work, de Swarte is emerging as a conductor.  In 2023 he led performances at l’Opera Comique of Lully’s Le Bourgeois gentilhomme (with Les Musiciens du Louvre at Marc Minkowski’s invitation) and Gretry’s Zemire et Azor (at Louis Langrée’s invitation).

Théotime Langlois de Swarte is a laureate of the Banque Populaire Foundation.  He plays on a Jacob Stainer violin of 1665 loaned by the Jumpstart Foundation, and an Allessandro Gagliano from 1700 on loan from the Zylber Association.