Thierry Barbé is principal bass at the Opéra National de Paris Orchestra, double bass professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and also at the Conservatoire National Régional de 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.