Belgian-American cellist Pierre Fontenelle is celebrated for his audacious projects and versatile
artistry, earning recognition as a rising star of the Belgian classical music scene.
A top prizewinner at the 2022 Breughel, 2020 Buchet, and 2019 Edmond Baert Competitions, Pierre Fontenelle also served as Cello-Soloist for the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège until 2022 and has since performed at prestigious venues across Europe and Asia, including Flagey, Chapelle Reine Élisabeth, la Seine Musicale, Taipei National Concert Hall, and Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Soloist performances with renowned ensembles include the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, Musiques Nouvelles, Casco Phil, and Ensemble Appassionato.
Pierre’s commitment to Belgian music earned him the 2024 FUGA Trophy from the Belgian Composer’s Union. Upcoming highlights of the 2024–25 season include the release and concert tour of his album Roots (Spring 2025), a series of concerto performances, premieres by composers Apolline Jesupret and Jean-François Jung, and an artist residency at the Abbaye de Royaumont with pianist Ninon Hannecart-Ségal.
His collaborative work extends to artists such as Jodie Devos, Florian Noack, Gaëlle Solal, Gwendoline Blondeel, and Gergely Madaras. Beyond classical music, Pierre explores popular and contemporary genres in Duo Kiasma with accordionist Frin Wolter, with whom he won the Accordé’Opale Competition. Following his 2024 release American Album with chamber music ensemble Oxalys, his solo album Roots reflects his tribute to contemporary American music.
Self-taught from a young age in Seattle, Pierre pursued formal training in Luxembourg, Namur, Mons, and Paris with mentors including Éric Chardon, Han Bin Yoon and Anne Gastinel. He is now a professor at IMEP (Namur).
Namurois of the Year 2020, Pierre is also the founder and artistic director of Concerts des Dames at the Abbaye Notre-Dame du Vivier and enjoys reading and writing poetry.
He performs on an 1860 Nicolas-François Vuillaume cello, made available by the King Baudouin Foundation thanks to the generosity of the Léon Courtin-Marcel Bouché Fund and the Strings For Talent Foundation.
Nicolas François Vuillaume was born in Mirecourt (Vosges) in 1802, the fourth son of Claude-François Vuillaume, himself an instrument maker and descendant of a long line of instrument makers.
His brother, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, settled in Paris and is considered one of the most important stringed instrument makers in France, if not in Europe.
Nicolas François moved to Brussels to set up his own workshop, out of his brother’s shadow, probably around 1830.
The two brothers continue to collaborate, and Nicolas François makes instruments for Paris, in addition to those bearing his name.
The latter gave him a prominent place in Brussels. In 1836, he was appointed luthier of the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.
He obtained a series of medals, including a first-class medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1855.
In 1873, he was named Knight of the Order of Leopold.
He is considered to have produced 340 instruments bearing his signature (this one is number 224).