The French-Swiss cellist Ophélie Gaillard, born on 13 June 1974 in Paris, has established herself as a formidable presence in the world of classical music. Renowned for her versatility and emotive performances, critics consistently praise her ability “to convey human passions through the instrument.” Her scrupulous attention to period-appropriate techniques has enhanced her reputation as a meticulous and expressive artist.
Ophélie Gaillard
Beyond her technical prowess, Gaillard’s artistic vision extends to her role as a conductor and artistic director, where she emphasises excellence, transmission, and sharing. Her work with the “Pulcinella Orchestra,” which she founded, is noted for its “poetic, sensitive fluidity,” particularly in her “performances of concertos where each phrase is carefully shaped.”
With over thirty albums to her credit, Gaillard’s recordings span a wide range of styles and genres, earning her international acclaim for their richness and technical brilliance. Gaillard has the ability to navigate diverse musical landscapes, and on the occasion of her birthday, let’s sample some of her most iconic recordings and performances.
Ophélie Gaillard/Pulcinella Perform Boccherini: Symphony in B Major
Bach Cello Suites
Ophélie Gaillard approached the Bach masterpieces for her 2011 recording on the Aparté label, and she did so with the weight of tradition balanced against a fiercely individual vision. Her reverent and revelatory rendition provided a luminous tapestry of sound that breathed new life into these timeless works.
Her interpretations are a journey through the heart of Bach’s genius, where each suite unfolds like a chapter in a musical odyssey. Her Baroque cello, a 1737 Francesco Goffriller, resonates with a rich, earthy timbre that evokes the instrument’s historical roots, its gut strings lending a tactile intimacy to every phrase.
Yet, Gaillard’s approach is far from dogmatic historicism; she infuses the music with a modern sensibility, allowing the emotional undercurrents of each movement to surface with vivid immediacy. Dances are carried with buoyant grace or unfold with meditative stillness.
J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009 (Ophélie Gaillard, cello)
A Night in London
In the soft glow of an imagined 18th-century London evening, Ophélie Gaillard transports listeners to a world of elegance, intrigue, and sonic splendour. This luminous album, recorded with the Pulcinella Orchestra, is a love letter to the music of Britain’s Baroque and early Classical eras, unearthing gems by Cirri, Porpora, and Geminiani.
Through her masterful cello playing, Gaillard conjures the spirit of a London that was once a vibrant hub of musical innovation, where Italian virtuosos mingled with local talents to create a soundscape that was both cosmopolitan and distinctly British. Critics have called the recording “as immersive as it is illuminating, a sonic tapestry that weaves together virtuosity, historical authenticity, and emotional resonance.”
Ophélie Gaillard/Pulcinella perform Geminiani: “The night her silent sable wore”
Cellopera
With her 2021 album “Cellopera,” Gaillard presented a luminous and innovative project that reimagines beloved opera arias as virtuosic cello showcases. She reimagines famous arias through the soulful voice of the cello, transforming iconic opera melodies into a tapestry of lyrical brilliance.
Gaillard’s interpretive artistry weaves an evocative narrative, with the cello not merely imitating the human voice, but transcending it. The arrangements, crafted with care to preserve the spirit of the original arias, allow her cello to soar above the lush orchestral textures, at times blending seamlessly with the strings. To be sure, “Cellopera” is a testament to Gaillard’s versatility and fearless exploration of new musical terrains.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Don Giovanni, “Dalla sua pace” (arr. for cello and orchestra) (Ophélie Gaillard, cello; Morphing Chamber Orchestra; Frédéric Chaslin, cond.)
Cello Tango
Ophélie Gaillard’s album “Cello Tango,” recorded with Aparté in 2025 is a vibrant and soulful exploration of Argentina’s musical heritage that showcases her virtuosity, emotional depth, and fearless curiosity as a cellist. From the opening notes, Gaillard’s cello ignites with a fiery intensity in celebration of Astor Piazzolla.
Her cello soars with a fierce, almost defiant energy that captures the rebellious spirit of the music. The rapid staccato passages are executed with breathtaking precision, her bow slicing through the air like a knife, while the slower, lyrical moments reveal a tender vulnerability that speaks to the tango’s duality of strength and fragility. “Cello Tango” has been celebrated as a triumph of cross-cultural artistry.
Ophélie Gaillard’s artistry transcends time, genre, and culture. With a vast and varied discography, Gaillard has proven herself a musical alchemist, transforming notes into narratives that resonate with profound emotion and historical depth. Her virtuosity, paired with an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to authenticity, has redefined the possibilities of the cello.
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