Born in 1974, Florent Audibert began learning the cello with his father at the CNR of Nice, where he obtained several unanimous prizes in cello and chamber music.
In 1993, he entered the CNSM of Paris under the tutelage of Jean-Marie Gamard and Jean Mouillère. There, he was awarded a first prize in cello and, as a member of the quartet Kinsky, was presented top honors (premier nommé) in chamber music, as well as the prize of the International Forum of Normandie and the sixth prize FNAPEC.
Continuing his professional development, Audibert commenced postgraduate studies with Ivan Chiffoleau at the CNSM of Lyon, while simultaneously participating in masterclasses with Steven Isserlis, Arto Noras and Toshiro Tsutsumi, amongst others. He was also named semifinalist in the 2001 Rostropovich competition and the 2003 Bach competition in Leipzig.
His attraction towards historical instruments subsequently led him to seek the instruction of Christophe Coin at the CNSM of Paris.
Two personalities have influenced him particularly – Janos Starker and Anner Bylsma – both of whom he had the opportunity to work with on numerous occasions (CNSM Paris, Villarceaux, Kronberg, Cité de la Musique etc).
In 2006, he was chosen by Lorin Maazel for the formation of the Orchestra of the Palau de las Artes de Valencia (Spain), and remained there for the 2006-2007 lyric season, during which Zubin Mehta was invited as the principal guest conductor.
Equally successful as a soloist, his repertoire ranges from Vivaldi and C.P.E. Bach (on the baroque cello) to Ligeti and Gulda, comprising as well the works of Haydn, Dvorak, Lalo, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Saint-Saëns. He has appeared with a variety of orchestras, including the Philharmonic of Nice, the Opera of Rouen and the Orchestra of Cannes-PACA.
His regular interpretation of contemporary repertoire has led him to work and meet with composers such as Maurice Ohana, Henri Dutilleux, Philippe Manoury, Bruno Montovani and Edith Canat de Chizy. In 2007, he premiered Sébastien Béranger’s (D)ébauches for two cellos and electro-acoustic band with his brother, Frédèric Audibert, at the Rencontres Internationales de Beauvais, as well as a work for solo cello by Christophe Queval.
Highly sought-after as a chamber musician, he has collaborated with artists Marielle Nordman, Ivry Gitlis, Alain Planès, Bruno Pasquier, Jean Mouillère, Frédèric Aguessy and Michel Lethiec.
He has also been invited as a chamber musician by the Prades festival, l’Orangerie de Sceaux, the Champs-Elysées Theater, the Festival du Vexin, Rencontres de violoncelles de Callian, the Besançon festival etc.
Since 2008, he is a member of the Ensemble Calliopée, with whom he recorded a double-CD set, under the Alpha record label, commemorating the chamber music of Martinu (Choc de la musique), as well as a newly-released disc featuring the works of Durosoir.
His discography comprises of the complete works for cello and piano by Gabriel Fauré played on period instruments (coup de coeur Piano magazine), and the sonatas of Brahms as well as the Phantasiestücke of Schumann (5 diapasons) with the pianist Remy Cardinale. As part of a quartet, with organ and two violins, he also released a CD with the works of Haydn, Dvorak, Albinono and Brixi.
“One cannot help but admire the nobility and poesy of his interpretation.” – Diapason.
“Florent Audibert is of a perfect stylistic ideal.” – Le Nouvel Observateur.