Trained under Robert Delcroix, Lionel Gaudin-Villard graduated with unanimous committee approval in conducting in 1998, highlighting the quality of his training and the clarity of his gesture from the very beginning. He furthered his education by assisting several renowned conductors, including Hans Graf, John Nelson, Stéphane Cardon, Alexander Kantorov, Michel Tranchant, and Eliane Lavail, enriching his vision of conducting and his mastery of orchestras and choirs.

 

For over twenty-five years, he has pursued a recognized national and international career noted for its rigor, musicality, and sense of musical storytelling. He has conducted nearly 1,500 concerts with symphonic, choral, and operatic ensembles, exploring a repertoire that spans classical and romantic works to contemporary creations, as well as projects for young audiences. In total, 1 million spectators have attended his concerts.

 

Lionel Gaudin-Villard has held the musical and artistic direction of several leading ensembles in France, where he has developed his artistic vision and personality: Orchestre Symphonique de Gironde (2008–2023), Ensemble Orchestral de Bordeaux (2000–2008), Orchestre Molto Assai (2014–2019), Ensemble Vocal Martenot de Gironde (since 2011), Ensemble Vocal Résonances (2005–2021), and Groupe Vocal Syrinx (1995-2008).

 

Additionally, he has collaborated as a guest conductor with numerous national and international ensembles, as well as with operatic and choreographic companies. Among these are the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre Régional Bayonne Côté Basque, Kammarkör of Stockholm, Klassika Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg, and the Dresden Youth Symphony Orchestra.

 

He has also worked with various stage companies and artists, providing his musical direction to interdisciplinary and lyrical projects, including the Compagnie Les Chants de Garonne with Emmanuel Gardeil, Compagnie Figaro-ci Figaro-la with Maryse Ghibaudo, Le Jeune Ballet d’Aquitaine, and the Compagnie Sohrab Chitan. These experiences have allowed him to blend orchestral conducting with stage work, reinforcing his sensitive and narrative approach to music.

 

In October 2025, he will make his debut with the Orchestre National de Cannes, featuring a creation written in collaboration with Marco Codjia, consolidating his national presence and artistic recognition. His collaborations with festivals, cultural institutions, and companies testify to his versatility and ability to unite musicians, singers, and artists around a shared vision.

 

As the creator of Concerts Signatures, Lionel Gaudin-Villard offers immersive programs where narration, emotion, and musical exploration converge. These creations illustrate his ability to transform each concert into a sensitive and lively experience while remaining true to musical rigor and the clarity of his conducting.

 

Alongside his work as a conductor, he actively engages in educational projects with choirs, ensembles, and young musicians, supporting them in developing their technique, expressiveness, and musical sense. His dual practice—conducting and pedagogy—reflects his profoundly human vision of music: an art that elevates, connects, and reveals.

 

Today, Lionel Gaudin-Villard continues an active career in France and internationally, sharing with audiences and musicians a vision of music as a vehicle for meaning, beauty, and communion.