MASTER VIOLINMAKER
in ANNECY FRANCE
François LEBEAU
was born in Chalon-sur-Saône, Burgundy, France in 1966. As a
child, he became attracted to the artistic ways of expression, through
his education, his literary studies and the love for music. And naturally,
the link between music, art and craftsmanship led him to violinmaking
and its city: CREMONA.
In the 80’s, his
studies were supervised by Maestro Riccardo BERGONZI, and he obtained
his Master Degree from CREMONA’s International Violin Making
School "Antonio STRADIVARI" (IPIALL) in 1989.
In the 90’s he
opened his first workshop right in the historical center, overlooking
the Torrazzo and the Piazza del Duomo. From the raw material –
wood – he makes violins, violas and cellos.
The sound expressed by
these instruments comes from the Great Tradition, but combines with
the latest technologies. His apprenticeship took him to Geneva, Switzerland
to the workshop of André-Marc HUWYLER and David HOEFFLIN, violinmakers,
where he was praised for his restoration work. He continued his training
in Nice, France with Pierre ALLAIN and Jean-Pierre GASQ, violinmaker
and bowmaker, where his setup of instruments demonstrated the precision
of his work. In 1996, he undertook a Bowmaker / Repairer training
with A.-M. HUWYLER, Geneva, Switzerland. From 1995, he undertook numerous
travels around the world: Israel, Malta, USA, Taiwan... to meet acquaintances
in the musical world, customers and fellow violinmakers. Those travels
are the occasion to share his passion, organizing conferences, talks
and meetings with students and professional players, but also to confront
his knowledge with different cultures, and assess new bases to his
work and inspiration. With all his gathered experience,
in 1998, he opens his
workshop in ANNECY, SAVOY, FRANCE, in the heart of the French Alps
There, surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes, he finds peace
and inspiration for creating fine violins, violas and cellos. His
workshop in the historical center of the city is also a meeting point
for local musicians, to have their instruments repaired, setup and
improved. His work can be discovered, listened to and appreciated
in the hands of young talents, professional players and connoisseurs
all over the world.
