Christian Rivet studied guitar, orchestral conducting, composition, and chamber music at the CNR in Metz.
During this time, he met the lutenist Hopkinson Smith, who allowed him to develop a personal method yet respectful of the styles: both “ancient” and “modern” instruments thus became integral parts of his musical mindset.
Having been awarded a variety of the most prestigious awards, he studied under Alexandre Lagoya at the CNSMDP in Paris in 1984. After receiving the first prize for guitar and chamber music (in 1987 and 1988), he was admitted unanimously as a postgraduate and received regular advice from the guitarist Alvaro Pierri, and the flautists Michel Debost and Aurèle Nicolet.
As a result of the various important encounters throughout his career, notably Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Peter Eötvös, Pascal Dusapin, Jean‐Paul Roussillon and Jean Echenoz, of his many concerts given in France and abroad for prestigious festivals, as a soloist or alongside his colleagues Emmanuel Pahud, the Sine Nomine quartet, Michel Portal, and Laurent Korcia, and as a result of his “original” outlook to the world, Christian Rivet has developed a passion for the various colours of music, and studies both music and literature with equal interest.
Christian Rivet is the artistic director of the festival “Le Vent sur l’Arbre”, and has been for seven years.
His music is published by Durand / Universal Classical Music.
Photo : © Philippe Gontier