The musician was principal violist with the Paris Opera from 1957 to 1986, and taught at Conservatoire de Paris for 20 years

SergeCollott

French violist and long-time Conservatoire de Paris professor Serge Collot died on 11 August at the age of 91.

Born in Paris in December 1923, Collot himself studied viola, chamber music and composition at the Conservatoire de Paris with Maurice Vieux, Joseph Calvet and Arthur Honegger during the 1940s.

He was a member of several string quartets, including the Parrenin Quartet – and in 1960 founded Le Trio Á  Cordes Français with violinist Gérard Jarry and cellist Michel Tournus, which performed together for 32 years.

Collot was also principal violist with the Orchestra of the Paris Opera from 1957 to 1986, and taught at the Conservatoire de Paris for 20 years from 1969 to 1989.

A frequent performer in Pierre Boulez's Domaine Musical concerts, Collot premiered Berio’s Sequenza VI for viola solo (1967), which was written for him.

In 1989 he was awarded the French Legion of Honour.