Diane Barbé Concerts

Experience Diane Barbé

Diane Barbé (born December 12, 1956, in Paris) is a French composer and harpsichordist renowned for her interpretations of Baroque and contemporary music. She studied with renowned harpsichordists like Huguette Dreyfus and Robert Kohnen, graduating *avec mention* from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris.

Barbé’s career spans both solo performance and collaborative work, notably with ensembles like Les Arts Florissants under William Christie, where she was a principal harpsichordist for over two decades. She's a dedicated advocate for lesser-known composers, particularly women of the Baroque era, bringing works by figures like Francesca Caccini to wider audiences.

Her discography includes critically acclaimed recordings of Couperin, Rameau, and Scarlatti alongside contemporary composers like Betsy Jolas. Beyond performance, Barbé is a respected pedagogue, teaching at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland. Her playing style is characterized by clarity, rhythmic precision, and a nuanced understanding of ornamentation – consistently praised for its elegance and intellectual depth.