FRANCIS DUROY
Violinist
“Francis Duroy’s bow never sounds aggressive... He plays the melodic outline with subtlety, and
then shapes it with great spirit... The violinist’s enthusiasm and sensibility are fully demonstrated as
he modulates and explores the inexhaustible resources of his skill...” - Christian Fruchart - L’Alsace
Francis Duroy was born in Paris where his musical training started at eight years old, at Saint Maur
CRR - Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional - where he graduated in piano, violin, french horn,
chamber music and harmony. He completed his violin studies in Brussels ( Belgium) with Maurice
Raskin, and then in Lyon CNSMD - Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique - with Véda
Reynolds.
In 1985, he obtained a scholarship to study at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts (Canada). He
improved his skill over the years with renowned masters such as the violinists Zoltan Szekely and
Ivry Gitlis, the violist Rafaël Hillyer, the cellist Anner Bylsma or the pianist Menahem Pressler.
In 1986, Francis Duroy was appointed Soloist of the Lyon National Opera Orchestra with the
conductor John Eliot Gardiner and Kent Nagano.
In 1989, he was nominated Solo Violin of the Lyon National Orchestra (from 1989 to 1991) with
the conductor Emmanuel Krivine.
Since 1992, Francis Duroy carries a concert artist career which leads him all over the world.
In 2005, he performed in Japan all over the country in the most important concerts halls with
success. He also perfoms in Corea.
In April 2010, Francis Duroy performed on the prestigious stage of Carnegie Hall in New York.
In 2012, invited by the Czech Philharmonic, he performed a recital on the stage of Rudolfinum in
Prague.
He is a regularly invited to perform in various Festivals and prestigious Halls all over the world ; in
Japan at the Kioi Hall in Tokyo, Shirakawa Hall in Nagoya, NHK Hall in Osaka, Kyoto Center Hall
in Kyoto, in Korea at the Pusan University and Poyang City Hall, in United States in New York
Carnegie Hall , San Antonio (Texas) « Musical Bridges around the World », in Boston « Black man
Hall », in Norway at “Grieg im Bergen” Festival, in Slovenia at Ljubljana's Festival, in Italy in
Brescia at « Serate Musicali » Festival, in Napoli at « Musica in Irpinia » Festival, in Catania, in
Taranto..., and in France in main festivals and concert halls such as “Théâtre des Champs Elysées”
in Paris, « Saoû chante Mozart » Festival, « Promenades musicales de la Côte d’Azur », Paris
Chamber Music Festival, Tournon Festival, Musicalta Festival, Montpellier Festival,
Nancyphonies... He performs with musicians such as Maurice André, Patrice Fontanarosa, Roland
Pidoux, Michel Bourdoncle, Philippe Bernold, Dominique Vidal, Kyril Rodin…
Francis Duroy plays as a soloist world wide with orchestras such as the Dniepopetrov Philharmonic
Orchestra and the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra (Ukraine), the City of Pohang Symphonic Orchestra
(Korea), the Aguascalientes Symphonic Orchestra and the San Luis Potosi Symphonic Orchestra
(Mexico), the Ribeiro Preto Symphonic Orchestra (Brasil), Symphonic Orchestra ICO della Magna
Grecia (Italy), Baden Baden Philharmonic Orchestra, Romania State Ochestra, and in France :
« Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon », the Avignon « Orchestre Lyrique Région Avignon
Provence », the « Ensemble Instrumental de Grenoble », the « Orchestre de chambre Bernard
Thomas » ... He was also appointed solo violin conductor of chamber orchestras ; « la Camerata de
France » from 1990 to 1993 and the « Orchestre de chambre les Archets de Paris » from 1993 to
1995.
Francis Duroy's repertoire extends from baroque music to contemporary music. He collaborates
with different composers such as Michaël Lévinas, Philippe Leroux, Wolfgang Motz and Nicolas
Vérin who dedicates him the piece « Chassés croisés II» for violin and piano.
Francis Duroy has successfully been able to develop both his soloist career, and his teaching career.
He is a violin Professor at the Lyon « CRR - Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional ». Francis
Duroy is regularly invited to teach Master classes in Asia (Japan and Korea) and in Europe and he is
also a jury in International competitions. Since 1993, Francis Duroy has been the founding artistic
director of Musicalta.