Birth of a baroque instrumental fund: Talents & Violon’celles unveils a historic commission for six exceptional instruments

On 17 February, during an exceptional evening hosted by patron Joël Rousseau, the Talents & Violon’celles endowment fund presented the first six instruments from its new ‘Early Music’ department. This extraordinary commission combines excellence in violin making, historical research and passionate patronage.

Concert on 17 February 2026 at the home of our patron Joël Rousseau: musicians and instrument makers given a standing ovation by a moved audience. ©Gilles Arbwick

A visionary project driven by passionate patronage

Nineteen months after the commission was launched in June 2024, the early music department of Talents & Violon’celles became a reality. This project was driven by the commitment of two patron couples: Mr and Mrs Joël Rousseau and Mr and Mrs Jean-Louis Roidot, who jointly financed this coherent ensemble designed to support the new generation of baroque musicians.

« Having the instruments made is a way of helping to preserve French instrument-making expertise. What will remain in 200 years’ time is a link between generations », emphasises Joël Rousseau.

For luthier Joël Klépal, this gesture is part of a great tradition:

« This ensemble commission follows in the footsteps of Charles IX's commission to master Andrea Amati in 1560. It's a truly wonderful gesture. »

Paul Poupinet (violin bass) and Alice Thévenin (theorbo) perform in front of patrons: Mr and Mrs Rousseau and Christine Roidot. ©Gilles Arbwick

Six signatures for ‘historically informed’ instrument making

Six internationally renowned French instrument makers collaborated to create this unique ensemble. Beyond the manufacturing process, this project enabled genuine research and sharing between peers.

• The technical challenge: Charles Coquet explains that every detail, from the nailed neck to the thickness of the soundboards, contributes to the ‘baroque playing experience’. Agathe Bejerano Calderon, meanwhile, took on the challenge of creating an expressive head and a pearwood body for her tenor viola, inspired by a 1605 model.

• Research: For Roland Houël, this commission provides an opportunity to ‘finance part of the research and refine our knowledge of early stringed instrument making’. François Denis, inspired by a model by Nicolas Bertrand, sees it as an opportunity to learn: ‘Doing things differently is also an opportunity to learn something new.’

  
  

• The destination: Judith Kraft designed her viola to be both high-quality and accessible: ‘You have to trust the instrument to lead its own life! It will adapt to different playing styles and suggest ideas to the musician.’

Raphaël Pidoux presents the treble viol made by François Denis. ©Gilles Arbwick

An emotional evening: instruments serving talent

The private concert on 17 February 2026 saw these instruments played for the first time by young virtuosos:

• 2 First Fantasies in G minor (1610/1620) by Orlando Gibbons: Io Le Bris (Bass Viol), Jaume Ferrer Moreno (Treble Viol) and Lukas Hadakir Carrillo (Tenor Viol)

• Canzon ottava detta L'Ambitiosa (1628) by Girolamo Frescobaldi: Paul Poupinet (Bass Violin) and Sybille Roth (Harpsichord)

• 1st suite from the 5th book of pieces for viola (1725) by Marin Marais: Io Le Bris (bass viol) and Sybille Roth (Harpsichord)

• 2nd Sonata for Violin and Basso Continuo (circa 1630) by Giovanni Battista Fontana: Rebecca Normand Condat (Baroque Violin), Paul Poupinet (Bass Violin) and Alice Thévenin (Theorbo)

• 4th sonata from the 2nd book (1735) by Jean-Baptiste Barrière: Victor Lancelot-Mahé (Baroque Cello), Sybille Roth (Harpsichord) and Raphaël Pidoux (Cello)

Seven-string bass viol made by Judith Kraft ©Gilles Arbwick

Ambition 2030: to become a resource centre

Talents & Violon’celles does not intend to stop there. With two new early music instruments already under construction, the goal is to reach 20 to 30 early music instruments by 2030 to meet the growing demand from musicians and conservatories.

Additional resources

Photos of the instruments ©Gilles Arbwick

Photos of the concert ©Gilles Arbwick

Film in the instrument makers' workshops and interviews with patrons (6 minutes)

Press Kit on the launch of the early music department

Order details

Tenor viol made by Agathe Bejerano Calderon ©Gilles Arbwick

• Baroque cello (Joël Klépal) – Patronage Christine et Jean-Louis Roidot

• Baroque violin (Charles Coquet) – Patronage Christine et Jean-Louis Roidot

• Bass violin (Roland Houël) – Patronage Joël Rousseau

• Seven-string bass viol (Judith Kraft) – Patronage Joël Rousseau

• Treble viol (François Denis) – Patronage Joël Rousseau

• Tenor viole (Agathe Bejerano Calderon) – Patronage Christine et Jean-Louis Roidot

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Talents & Violon’celles: Ensuring Every Talented Musician Can Play an Instrument Equal to Their Potential

Based on the observation that acquiring a quality instrument can be an inaccessible investment for a musician, the Talents & Violon’celles endowment fund supports talent by loaning instruments that allow them to fully develop their potential: pursuing studies under the best conditions, passing international competitions, and launching or developing a career.

Thanks to the support of private and institutional patrons, Talents & Violon'celles currently manages a collection of more than 130 string quartet instruments (violins, violas and cellos) and early music instruments (tenor violas da gamba, bass violins, bass violas, treble violas, etc.), including 39 built on its initiative, with a further three currently in production.

The project’s originality lies in its three converging ambitions: heritage, social, and cultural, which, shared between talented musicians, craftspeople, and donors, are a source of excellence.