Gilbert Bezzina

Gilbert Bezzina is a French violinist and conductor of baroque opera.

Early life and education Gilbert Bezzina studied violin at the Conservatory of Nice and continues to perform and record as a violinist.

Career In 1965 he founded the Société de Musique Ancienne de Nice, and in 1982 the Ensemble Baroque de Nice, with which he has presented, and in some cases recorded, a series of revivals of baroque operas.

Credits A selection of Bezzina's major opera revivals include: Vivaldi's L'incoronazione di Dario: Gérard Lesne, Henri Ledroit, Dominique Visse, Michel Verschaeve, Isabelle Poulenard, dir. Gilbert Bezzina, recorded for Harmonia Mundi. 2003 Vivaldi's Rosmira fedele, Opéra de Nice. 2007 Handel's Teseo at the Opéra de Nice.

Bezzina also has revived oratorios: In 2007 Bezzina premiered a little-known second setting by Alessandro Scarlatti of La Giuditta in a mise en espace by Gilbert Blin. 2009 Alessandro Scarlatti: Agar et Ismaele esiliati.