In the rehearsal rooms of the intimate Opéra-Comique in Paris, silence gradually replaces the dissonant tuning exercise of the 30-musician ensemble, Le Consort. Gabriel Pidoux, oboe in hand, stands at the back row, eagerly awaiting his conductor's cue. As the rehearsal commences with Act II of Christoph Willibald Gluck's opera, 'Iphigénie en Tauride,' preparations for the tragedy's November 2nd debut appear well underway.
The violins take the lead, soon followed by the oboes, with Gabriel's bright playing shining confidently. It wasn't merely the sonorous allure of the oboe that captivated him as a child, but its practicality — a delightfully dismantlable instrument that snugly fit into a box. Initially playing violin, like his grandmother's, by maternal influence, Gabriel pursued the oboe starting at age seven.
'In my family, there was simply no space left for another cellist,' he explains, now 27 and a rising star in classical circles. Gabriel descends from a lineage deeply rooted in strings — his grandfather, the late Roland Pidoux, devoted his life to the cello, a passion mirrored by Gabriel’s violinist grandmother, Mireille Cardoze, now retired. Gabriel's father, Raphaël Pidoux, and his late mother, Pascale Jaupart, who passed in 2018, continue the family tradition.
Roland Pidoux, remembered fondly as both a revered cellist and educator, passed away on September 21. His legacy is firmly woven into the classical music fabric. At present, Gabriel stands out not only for his proficiency but for carrying forward a distinct Pidoux signature in the classical music sphere.
Rehearsal of Christoph Willibald Gluck's 'Iphigénie en Tauride' at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, a vibrant testament to the timeless Pidoux family tradition.
The family’s musical passions span across generations, each member wielding their instrument with a unique Pidoux flair. The mutual love of strings underscored the careers of both Roland and Raphaël, but Gabriel’s choice in the oboe distinctly broadens their musical horizon.
With artistic influences drawing from both familial heritage and his own distinctive perspectives, Gabriel Pidoux is ascending the ranks of classical music not just as a performer but as a dynamic successor of the Pidoux musical dynasty.