An interview with 2026 NYGF artist Raphaël Feuillâtre

NYGF:  What current or future project are you most excited about?

Raphaël:  I’m always excited about my North American tours. They are always challenging, sometimes overwhelming, but incredibly rewarding. I’m also looking forward to my next recording project, which is always a real achievement and a chance to explore a certain theme in depth.

NYGF:  What are you looking forward to doing in NYC other than playing at the Festival?

Raphaël:  New York is one of my favorite cities in the world. I love spending a few days there around my concerts. I usually go to Carnegie Hall and can’t wait to do the Metropolitan Opera for the first time ! I really enjoy walking through Times Square, as a Parisian, there’s nothing like it at home. It’s vibrant and totally unique. I also love stopping at Caffè Reggio in Greenwich Village, a place with a certain charm and a bit of history. It even appeared in The Godfather. Visiting the Met is always inspiring too. I could spend hours discovering art from all over the world. And of course, wandering through Central Park or admiring the skyline always gives me energy and inspiration.

NYGF:  What is your favorite guitar you own?

Raphaël:  I would say the guitar I play in concert because of its reliability. It follows me all over the world: a guitar by Greg Smallman.

I can also mention the guitar by Martin Blackwell, which I recorded with but have never played in concert yet. I love it very much, and maybe it will become my next concert guitar one day.

NYGF:  If you could own one guitar that you don’t already own, what would it be?

Certainly a guitar by Antonio de Torres for the beauty of its sound and its historical importance. I would also love a guitar by Santos Hernández for the same reasons, or the famous Hermann Hauser --  the guitar kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for its historical value.

NYGF:  Do you have a favorite lyricist?

As a classical guitarist, I spend most of my time with instrumental music, but I’ve always admired the librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, especially for the operas he wrote with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

NYGF:  If you could play with one living person, who would it be?

Yo-Yo Ma. I know he enjoys the guitar and I would love to play with him. I’d also be inspired to play with Murray Perahia (even if he is no longer performing in concert), or Arcadi Volodos, although the repertoire might become a challenge…

NYGF:  If you could perform with one person no longer alive, who would it be?

One of my past dreams could have been to perform under the direction of Claudio Abbado. I’ve always been fascinated by the elegance of his gesture and the way he could shape the sound of an orchestra with such clarity and sensitivity. I would have been deeply honored to play with him.

NYGF:  Best book you’ve read all year?

Probably The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig.  It’s one of the most fascinating and moving autobiographies I’ve ever read. Zweig was an important figure in European culture, and through his life, you really understand what Europe was like before the First World War—and how everything slowly collapsed.

What I really like is that he writes as an insider — he actually lived through these events and met the people he talks about, which makes everything feel very real and personal.

His writing is also very beautiful and emotional, but still easy to read. He explains complex things in a very clear way. He was passionate about art and culture, and he met many important people of his time. He shares these encounters in a very generous and interesting way.

For me, it’s a great book that helps you understand history in a deeper and more human way. Definitely a must-read

NYGF:  If you weren’t performing music, what would you most like to do?

That’s a hard question for me because I’ve always wanted to be a concert musician. It has been my dream since I was six, and it has never left me. If I had to choose something else, it would probably be related to teaching and sharing knowledge, even if it wasn’t music.

YGF:  Do you have any special hobbies outside of music?

I enjoy playing ping pong or swimming, it helps me find balance. I also consider movies and books as real gifts in life!

NYGF:  How do you typically discover new music?

Mostly through interpreters and composers. If I love a performer or a conductor, I’ll explore their discography, and it’s the same with composers. Sometimes I discover music at concerts, but I usually go to see friends or artists I already know.

NYGF:  Most influential albums for you currently?

The complete recordings of Murray Perahia.

NYGF:  Are there any unrecognized artists that you’d like to shine a spotlight on?

I have the chance to serve on juries and give lessons to high-level students at international guitar festivals. Some of them are truly remarkable, and I’m happy to be able to support them in their musical journey.

NYGF:  All-time favorite venue to perform in?

There are many, but I especially enjoyed playing at Weill Recital Hall, which makes me even more excited at the idea of performing one day on the main stage.

NYGF:  What was your most memorable “Eureka” moment in a performance context?

Probably the moment I realized that I could control my physical investment on stage. Since then, I’ve experienced much less tension in my playing, which was a real turning point for me. It actually happened during my win at the GFA (Guitar Foundation of America) competition in 2018.

NYGF:  Favorite cocktail, wine, or n/a beverage?

I usually enjoy a fine red wine, something like a Bordeaux or a Burgundy depending on the food.