WILLIAM CHRISTIE was born in Buffalo (New York) and studied at the universities of Yale and Harvard. In 1979 he founded the ensemble Les Arts Florissants, which he has performed with all over the world. Under his direction, the ensemble has become known as one of the most prestigious and prolific in its field: Baroque music. Christie also regularly performs as a conductor and on the opera stage. The education of young musicians is of particular importance to him, teaching for many years at the Paris Conservatoire. He also gives regular masterclasses. Together with Les Arts Florissants he has been Artist in Residence at the Juillard School in New York since 2007. In 2008, William Christie was made a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. He is also a Commandeur dans l’Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur and Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. During his career he has won numerous awards. Latest performances include Il re pastore at the Lucerne Festival, Médée at the Zürich Opera House, Theodora in Amsterdam, Les Fétes vénitiennes in Paris and Il re pastore in Barcelona. Current performances will take him to London, Madrid, Barcelona and Glyndebourne.