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[LAST MINUTE JUMP IN]Félix Benati's debuts with Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-FranceConcerto pour alto, B. Bartok (soloist : Antoine Tamestit)Prélude à l'Après-Midi d'un Faune, C. DebussyLa Mer, C. Debussy30.04.25
IXth International Jorma Panula Conducting Competition2nd Prize (1st Prize not awarded)Orchestra Prize
"Felix Benati, in addition to the musical and technical brilliance in conducting,introduced a somehow extraordinary inner world that inspired me (and the whole orchestra)to do our best to find the expression what he was looking for, maybe just to get to experiencesome of that colorful world for a moment, get a break from the ordinary, and to share it with the audience.That is the magic that this world needs more of, I think"
A.R. Lönnqvist, Cellist at the Vaasa City Orchestra
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Biography
Winner of the International Jorma Panula Conducting Competition 2024 (2nd Prize & Orchestra Prize), Félix Benati is a French conductor, deeply invested in the symphonic repertoire of the 20th & 21st century and in Opera. He has made remarked debuts with Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France in April 2025, in a last-minute jump-in to replace Mikko Franck in Debussy’s La Mer. He also recently debuted at Théâtre du Châtelet with Orchestre de Chambre de Paris (in Offenbach’s Vie Parisienne), Orchestre de l’Opéra de Rouen-Normandie, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Orchestre National de Lille, Orchestre National de Cannes and Jyväskylä Sinfonia (Finland) among others. Next season Félix will debute with Opéra de Bordeaux, Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre National de Bretagne and Orchestre Colonne, and notably will be re-invited by Philharmonique de Radio-France and Opéra de Rouen. Always searching for combinations between vocal & instrumental music, Félix likes to conceive his concert programs in that way, from Berio’s Folk Songs to Strauss’ Salome. During his time as assistant conductor at Philharmonique de Radio-France, Orchestre National de Lille and Orchestre Français des Jeunes, Félix Benati has worked on such various lyrical repertoire as Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine, Puccini’s La Bohème, Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle or Johann Strauss’ Fledermaus alongside Michael Schonwandt, Kristiina Poska, Alexandre Bloch and Mikko Franck from 2023 and 2025. He is regular guest conductor in Romania with Filarmonica de Stat Sibiu and Filarmonica de Stat Dinu Lipatti since 2025.
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"Rarely would the expression "jump-in" have been so litteral [...] While Félix Benati showed a lot of professionalism in Bartók - opus rarely played - by replacing Mikko Franck without even one rehearsal with the orchestra, he also showed very beautiful expressive and technical qualities with Debussy's two opuses. Those should indeed belong to young conductor's repertoire. Eventhough : to be such at ease with them (he conducted by heart, so to speak, his score opened on each movement's first page without touching it afterwards except once), in such circumstances, is the sign of authentic talent. The audience as well as the orchestra saw that without a doubt, and offered him warm ovation. He was not hiding his emotion." Crescendo Magazine - May the 3rd, 2025
"With his juvenile face framed with very long waved hair hold by a golden slide, his rangy silhouette, Félix Benati breathes youth into the hall. However, this almost timid look is only apparent. Felix Benati knows the wheels of orchestra and conducts with authority and assurance [...] His sentient and colourful interpretation of Claude Debussy's Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and La Mer has gained the audience's unanimity, moreover the orchestra's musicians seem to particularly appreciate him. Yet it is with Béla Bartók's Viola Concerto with soloist Antoine Tamestit that Felix Benati has won the audience's heart evenmore [...]" Classykêo - May the 2nd, 2025
Crescendo Magazine interview, 24. October 2024 : Félix Benati, chef d’orchestre | Crescendo Magazine "I think if one is being curious, open-minded and meticulous enough in the work of the score - which so ever - he can serve it with accuracy and sincerity."
" Brightened by a sparkling lively gaze, his gestures evince a certain musical personality, caressing phrases with sweeping movements or kneading the sound with his hands. Thus he shows colourful very phrased and obviously efficient expressivity […]" Olyrix - 21 August 2021
" Félix Benati conducts with great intensity. Thin face, feverish gaze, precise and engaged gestures, he is at one with his singers and carries them far. " Ouest-France - 14 July 2019
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