Francisco Bernier

Francisco Bernier has forged a successful and prize-winning career. He began his musical studies at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in Seville and then moved to France to continue his musical studies at the Ecole Normale "Alfred Cortot" in Paris under the direction of Maestro Alberto Ponce. He received his Superior Diploma of Execution and Concert Performer with distinction by a unanimous decision by the jury. From 1998 to 2002, Francisco continued his education at the Hochschule für Musik of Cologne (Germany), at the Université du Québec in Montréal (Canada), and at Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris (France). He attended master classes with Alvaro Pierri, Roland Dyens, Leo Brouwer, David Russell, José Tomas, and Oscar Ghiglia. His achievements have led him to perform in over 37 countries and in prestigious venues including: Salle Cortot and the Mogador Theatre (Paris) Oji Hall and Kyoto Concert Hall (Japan), the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg, Teatro Maestranza in Seville, Merkin Hall in New York and Zellerbach Hall in San Francisco.

 

Bernier was a finalist in the Concert Artist Guild of New York competition and recipient of more than twenty international prizes including the “Michele Pittaluga” Competition. Bernier has performed with the Camerata Orchestra of St. Petersburg, the Manchester Symphony Orchestra, the Mediterranean Symphonic Orchestra, the Symphonic Orchestra of Vallés, and the Symphonic Orchestra of Huelva.

 

Bernier has recorded several albums, the first of them under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Spanish-INAEM.  He labels include Mandala-Harmonia Mundi,  Déclic- Radio France, and Naxos.  He has performed live and recorded performances for radio and TV stations  Deutsche Welle, Cadena Ser, R.T.V.E, R.A.I, Radio France International, Radio Clasica, Radio Classique, France Musiques, and Nippon NHK. Francisco's interest in contemporary music allows him to remain in contact with great composers of our time (Luis de Pablo, José M. Sánchez Verdú, Cesar Camarero, and José Manuel López). 

 

Bernier is a laureate of the Meyer Foundation, Beracasa and BNP- PARIBAS (France), “la Caixa” Foundation (Spain), and the Emma Contestabile Foundation (Italy) and currently teaches at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Seville. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Seville Guitar Festival and President and Founder of Contrastes Records (London).