L'Achéron / François Joubert-Caillet

François Joubert-Caillet is now a leading figure in the world of the viola da gamba, following in the footsteps of the pioneers of early music by rediscovering forgotten treasures and breaking down barriers between musical genres with cross-disciplinary projects (traditional music, contemporary music, computer-assisted music, improvisation, contemporary dance, etc.). 

After studying recorder, piano, and double bass, he studied viola da gamba with Paolo Pandolfo at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, as well as improvisation with Rudolf Lutz. He won first prize and the audience prize at the Bruges International Chamber Music Competition, has played with various ensembles and recorded for labels such as Ricercar, Harmonia Mundi, Ambronay, K617, ZigZag Territoires, Arcana, Winter&Winter, Aparté, Glossa, Sony, Naïve, etc.

Since 2009, he has led L'Achéron on the biggest stages in Europe and recorded more than thirty albums, including the complete works of Marin Marais' Pièces de Viole and Le Nymphe di Rheno in duo with Wieland Kuijken, which were awarded Diapasons d'Or, Chocs de Classica, and Echo Klassik prizes. He has been an associate artist or artist in residence at several renowned venues and festivals, such as the Arsenal in Metz and the Festivals de Wallonie.

After teaching at the conservatories of Bern, Nancy, and Luxembourg, he was appointed professor of viola da gamba at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in 2025, succeeding Paolo Pandolfo, Jordi Savall, and August Wenzinger.

François Joubert-Caillet also created Albus Fair Editions, an independent, fair trade, and eco-responsible label, in 2021. He has released a first opus of his own works for violas da gamba and electronic music, Isola, as well as albums by other original artists and sheet music.

Latest releases: Pièces de Viole by Sainte-Colombe le fils (2024) and the box set of the complete Pièces de Viole by Marin Marais (2025) on Ricercar-Outhere. Upcoming releases: Soleils de septembre, a meeting of the bandoneon and the viol consort around Astor Piazzolla and Nadia Boulanger, on Fuga Libera-Outhere; and the Sonatas for viols by Johann Michael Nicolai on Ricercar-Outhere.

February 2026