Raphaël Feuillâtre, guitar Union College

Sunday, November 22, 2026 — 3:00 PM

This French artist’s recordings are some of the most streamed guitar music on Apple Classical in the world. Returning after his awe-inspiring debut at Mont Pleasant in 2024, Feuillâtre brings an “uncommon breadth of spirit that shines through every note” (Gramophone) to beloved guitar masterpieces from Spain and Latin America.

• Works of Albéniz, Piazzolla, Villa-Lobos, & others
• Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
• RUNTIME: 2 HOURS
• Union College, Memorial Chapel, Schenectady, NY
• General Admission seating — doors open 45 minutes before concert
• All kids and college students admitted free at door

Hailed as the new face of classical guitar worldwide, Raphaël Feuillâtre fascinates audiences and critics alike with the depth of his interpretations, his dazzling virtuosity, and the richness of his repertoire.

Winner of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America competition in 2018 (USA) and ADAMI’s "Classical Revelation 2021", Raphaël was chosen as an exclusive artist by the label Deutsche Grammophon in 2022. This collaboration produced the single "Les Barricades Mystérieuses" and his debut album "Visages Baroques" (2023), which displays different facets of the Baroque aesthetic.

Following his acclaimed debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in 2023, he has performed in major halls and festivals including Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the “Folle Journée” in Nantes, and the Beethoven Haus in Bonn, as well as guitar festivals such as the Festival International de Guitare de Paris, Festival Guitarras del Mundo in Argentina, and the Changsha International Guitar Festival in China.

His passion for chamber music has led him to collaborate with recorder player Lucie Horsch, trumpet player Lucienne Renaudin Vary, and violinist Maria Dueñas in venues such as Deutsche Grammophon's Yellow Lounge, the Dresden Music Festival, and the Società del Quartetto di Milano – Scala G. Verdi.

Born in Djibouti in 1996, Raphaël was introduced to the guitar by his first teacher, Hacène Addadi, before joining Michel Grizard's class at the Conservatoire de Nantes in 2012. In 2015 he entered the Conservatoire National de Musique et de Danse de Paris in the classes of Roland Dyens and Tristan Manoukian. He was also mentored by Judicaël Perroy.

In addition to the GFA prize, Raphaël has won competitions including the Jose Tomas International Guitar Competition in Villa Petrer (Spain, 2017), Kutna Hora International Guitar Festival (Czech Republic, 2017), Viseu International Spring Music Festival (Portugal, 2016), Fontenay-sous-Bois Guitar Competition & Festival (France, 2015), and Ciudad de Coria International Guitar Festival (Spain, 2014).

An ambassador for the guitar, he has arranged numerous works—particularly keyboard repertoire—for guitar, a taste reflected in his recording programmes.

He teaches at the Pont Supérieur - Bretagne and co-founded the Lille Guitar Academy, a summer academy for guitarists. He gives masterclasses at institutions such as the San Francisco Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, and the Haute École de Musique in Geneva, and has participated in outreach activities during a U.S. tour.

Raphaël Feuillâtre is supported by Savarez and plays a guitar by Australian luthier Greg Smallman.