Antoine Marguier
Antoine Marguier, Franco-Swiss conductor, is a leading figure in the world of classical music. Born in Switzerland in 1969, he began his musical career as a clarinet soloist under Claudio Abbado, performing with prestigious ensembles such as the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra.
At the age of 22, he was appointed solo bass clarinet at the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, a position he held for 15 years. During this time, his passion for conducting flourished, leading him to make his debut in 1996 under the influence and guidance of mentors such as Armin Jordan, James Levine, David Zinman, Marek Janowski, and Yuri Temirkanov.
In 2011, he founded the Orchestre des Nations in Geneva, where he continues to serve as Artistic and Music Director. Composed of international volunteer musicians, the orchestra embodies a unique dynamic of energy and emotion. It not only reflects Marguier’s formative experiences in great youth orchestras, but also seeks to recreate those magical moments. The orchestra is equally committed to making classical music accessible to wider audiences—an art form that Marguier, raised in a rural environment, discovered relatively late in life.
Antoine is regularly invited to conduct prestigious orchestras worldwide, from Seoul to Tokyo, Durban, Paris, Bangkok, Brussels, Maastricht, Lyon, and Zurich. He has collaborated with world-class soloists including Renée Fleming, Maxim Vengerov, Gautier Capuçon, Khatia Buniatishvili, among many others—testament to both his excellence and charisma.
Since 1996, he has taught chamber music and clarinet at the Haute École de Musique de Genève, while also devoting himself to higher education through international masterclasses. He shares his expertise with young musicians in Singapore, Seoul, Beijing, and Jerusalem.
Antoine’s musical philosophy—centered on interpretation, conducting, and transmission—is deeply inspired by the gratitude he feels toward his mentors. This gratitude drives his commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians, a continuation of his passionate dedication to musical excellence and education.