Théotime Langlois de Swarte

“Performances so special that I feel a changed man from listening” (Gramophone); “A stunner by any standard” (The Strad); “Mesmerizing” (The New Yorker)—these represent common reactions upon encountering violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte who is rapidly emerging as a much sought-after violin soloist (on both Baroque and modern instruments), chamber musician, recitalist, and conductor. Whether wielding bow or baton, de Swarte has built a reputation for breathing new life into centuries-old music, whether it be standards of Baroque repertoire, an obscure, unfinished work by Vivaldi, or the trio sonatas of his long-forgotten Venetian contemporary, Giovanni Reali. Regardless of what is on his music stand, and whatever his role on stage, de Swarte’s dynamic, spontaneous, and frequently improvisational approach delights audiences the world over.

Recognition has come in the form of major awards, including the 2022 Diapason D’or of the year for his recording of Vivaldi, Locatelli, and Leclair concertos (Harmonia Mundi) and the 2022 Ambassador of the Year award from the European Early Music Network (REMA), along with multiple additional recording awards and a February, 2022 cover story in The Strad.

In solo appearances on both Baroque and modern violin, de Swarte regularly offers concertos by all the Baroque masters, along with those of Haydn and Mozart. He has appeared with Les Arts Florissants, Le Consort, Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal, Holland Baroque, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Les Ombres, and Orchestre National de Lorraine. De Swarte’s engagements have brought him to prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms), the Philharmonie in Paris, Vienna’s Musikverein, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Berlin’s Philharmonie, Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Hall, and the Shanghai National Art Center.

Théotime Langlois de Swarte studied at the Paris Conservatory under Michael Hentz and became a regular member of Les Arts Florissants at William Christie’s invitation in 2014, while still a student. In 2025, he led the ensemble on two North American tours comprising 31 venues in cities including New York, Boston, Ann Arbor, Toronto, and Washington DC; he last appeared at Cal Performances in March 2025. De Swarte has also appeared in recital with William Christie, including a 2021 recording of sonatas by Leclair and Senaille (Generations on Harmonia Mundi).

As co-founder—with harpsichordist Justin Taylor—of the Baroque ensemble Le Consort, de Swarte can be heard on numerous highly acclaimed recordings including Specchio Veneziano, Opus 1, and Philarmonica, all on Alpha Classics. Le Consort performs widely throughout Europe, and in North America has appeared in Montreal, Boston, Washington, Kansas City, Chicago, St. Paul, Louisville, New Orleans, Vancouver, and Ottawa, and here at Cal Performances in November 2023.

Besides William Christie, frequent recital collaborators include harpsichordist Justin Taylor and lute player Thomas Dunford, with whom he recorded a much-praised album titled The Mad Lover. Another notable recording, A Concert at the Time of Proust, was made on the newly restored Davidoff Stradivarius at the Philharmonie de Paris Museum. His most recent recording—of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Harmonia Mundi) – has garnered wide acclaim.

Alongside his instrumental work, de Swarte is emerging as a conductor. At Paris’ l’Opéra Comique he has led performances of Lully’s Le Bourgeois gentilhomme (with Les Musiciens du Louvre at Marc Minkowski’s invitation), Gretry’s Zemire et Azor (at Louis Langrée’s invitation), and Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride. In June 2026, a project he conceived and developed for Les Arts Florissants featuring concertos of Bach and Vivaldi with dance choreography by Maud Le Pladec will premiere in France, including at the Philharmonie in Paris.

Théotime Langlois de Swarte is a laureate of the Banque Populaire Foundation. He plays a violin of Carlo Bergonzi (1733) on generous loan from an anonymous patron.