Ton Koopman Honored By French of Ministry of Culture

Conductor and organist Ton Koopman has been honored by the French Ministry of Culture with Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres. The Bach specialist and festival founder received the honorary title on August 25 at a celebration in the Dordogne town of Cherval. He received the honor from the former French ambassador to the Netherlands Bernard de Montferrand and received the award in recognition of his “significant contributions to the arts and literature, in particular, the enrichment of French cultural heritage” through founding the Itinéraire Baroque Festival.

In regards to his honor, Koopman said, “I am greatly honored to receive this award from the French government in recognition of our work establishing this special festival. Périgord Vert is perhaps lesser known than the more famous Dordogne valley with its majestic castles and strategic crusader fortresses. These smaller villages on rivers dotted across the countryside, many inhabited since prehistoric times, have a quieter, intimate charm.



We started the festival to open up the doors of these Romanesque churches and fill them with music. 23 years on, I am delighted that the festival has grown and become a regular fixture in the summer calendar, attracting visitors from far and wide.’ Koopman was previously honored by the French Ministry with the Chevalier des Arts et de Lettres.

He founded the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra in 1979 and the Amsterdam Baroque Choir in 1992 – now combined as the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir and the Portland Baroque Orchestra. Categories.