The mysteries of the bow at the rue de Rome in Paris

Arnaud Suard at his craft

Sandrine Raffin's workshop

The rue de Rome

Brazilwood bow sticks

Nicolas Le Canu rehairing a violin bow

By Tristan Labouret, 22 October 2018

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“To combat fakes, the bow-makers still use secret codes to this day”

Nahoko Gotoh, 23rd April

Five years ago, the Japanese violinist made the spontaneous decision to enter the prestigious Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition. She talks about how her win in 2022 was a musically life-changing experience.

Rhapsody in Bucharest: Nemanja Radulović on the Enescu Competition

Peter Quantrill, 12th March

The Serbian-French violinist talks about what makes the George Enescu International Competition special, his experiences winning in 2001, and performing Enescu, Beethoven and Prokofiev.

Singing on the strings: Élodie Brzustowski on Early music in France

Danny Riley, 14th January

Lute player and guitarist Élodie Brzustowski talks about the challenges of the two-metre long theorbo, rediscovering guitar music of the 1830s, and the multifaceted Early music scene in France.

Semyon Bychkov takes over at Opéra national de Paris

Bachtrack, 6th January

Semyon Bychkov, currently finishing up his role as Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, will take over at Opéra national de Paris from August 2028.

How to change your life: Augustin Hadelich

Frank Kuznik, 1st December

Renowned German violinist talks about the life-changing effects of International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, how it feels more like a violin festival, and how there are no small or big concerts.

Out of the ordinary: Wagner’s Ring at Paris Opera

Bachtrack, 12th November

In 2026, Opéra national de Paris presents its first complete cycle of Wagner’s Ring for over a decade, with productions directed by Calixto Bieito. We dig into these striking and provocative productions...

Tristan Labouret

Musicologue diplômé du CNSMD de Paris, Tristan Labouret collabore avec de nombreux artistes et institutions musicales (Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo, Orchestre national d'Île-de-France, Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier, festivals de musique de chambre de Deauville, Just Classik Festival…), menant des activités de médiation à destination de tous les publics. Ex-altiste toujours passionné par les répertoires chambristes et symphoniques, il occupe depuis 2018 le poste de rédacteur en chef de la partie francophone de Bachtrack.