Biography
William Lincoln Christie (born December 19, 1944) is an American-born French conductor and harpsichordist. He is a specialist in baroque and classical repertoire and is the founder of the ensemble Les Arts Florissants. Christie studied art history at Harvard University, where he was briefly assistant conductor of the Harvard Glee Club. From 1966, he began studies at Yale University in music, where he was a student of harpsichordist Ralph Kirkpatrick. He was opposed to the Vietnam War, and served in a reserve officers course to avoid the draft. He subsequently taught at Dartmouth College. When his Dartmouth post was not renewed, Christie moved first to the United Kingdom (1970), and in 1971 to France. He was one of a number of young men who left the United States at this time because of disagreement with the Vietnam War, and in order to avoid the draft. In France, he became known for his interpretations of Baroque music, particularly French Baroque music, working with René Jacobs and others. He also performed contemporary music alongside baroque music with the Ensemble Five Centuries.Christie took French citizenship in 1995. He was appointed Grand Croix de la Légion d'honneur in 2014 and he is an Officier in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He was elected a member of the French Académie des Beaux-Arts on November 12, 2008, in the "Unattached members" section (Membres libres), at the seat formerly held by Marcel Marceau, Seat #1. The elaborate gardens Christie designed for his house in Thiré were designated as a monument historique in 2006. He has also received the Georges Pompidou Prize (2005) as well as the Liliane Bettencourt Choral Singing Prize, which was awarded by the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 2004. In 2002 he was awarded the Harvard Arts Medal.
Filmography
all 22
Movies 21
Director 7
self 5
TV Shows 1
Partenope (2021)
Handel: Jephtha (2018)
Bosch: The Garden of Dreams (2016)
Theodora (2015)
The Enchanted Island, a Baroque pastiche (2012)
David et Jonathas (2012)
La Didone (2011)
Hippolyte and Aricie (2010)
Purcell: The Fairy Queen (2009)
Semele (2007)
Giulio Cesare (2005)
Les Paladins (2005)
Les Paladins by Jean-Philippe Rameau or Baroque that Rocks (2005)
Les Indes Galantes (2004)
Les Boréades (2003)
The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland (2002)
Iphigénie en Tauride (2001)
Vivement dimanche (1998)
Rodelinda (1998)
Theseus (1998)
Theodora (1996)
L'Opéra du Roi (1989)
Ratings
Information
Known ForSound
GenderMale
Birthday1944-12-19 (79 years old)
Birth PlaceBuffalo, United States of America
CitizenshipsFrance, United States of America
AwardsKnight of the Order of La Pléiade, Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit, Honorary doctor of Leiden University, honorary doctor of the State University of New York at Buffalo, honorary doctorate, Commander of the Legion of Honour, Officer of the Legion of Honour, Order of La Pléiade, Echo Klassik, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, National Order of Merit
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
- William Christie
- Filmography
- Information
- Related Persons