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Horror as Bayreuth soloist is killed in bike accident

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norman lebrecht

May 04, 2021

Laurent Verney, viola soloist of the Paris National Opera l’Opéra national de Paris, who played every summer at Bayreuth, has died after being knocked off his bike. Laurent was 61.

He won his position at the Opéra aged just 25.

French musicians are in shock.

Choqué et Immense tristesse d’apprendre le décès de Laurent Verney suite à un accident grave de vélo.
Pensées pour sa famille et ses collègues de l’Opera de Paris. pic.twitter.com/RtnmBGTpU4

— Gautier CAPUÇON (@GautierCapucon) May 4, 2021

Francois-frederic Guy: Upset to hear of the death of my violist friend Laurent Verney. Unmissable figure of the Paris Opera Orchestra.. We exchanged regularly between Wagnerophiles who had played every summer in the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra for decades…
Beautiful passionate musician… Words are missing. What an awful time.
Goodbye dear Laurent.

Emanuel Ceysson: Devastated by the untimely passing of my friend and colleague the great viola player, Principal of the Paris Opéra, Laurent Verney. He leaves behind his mother, 2 beautiful daughters, and Sabine, his partner for years, my thoughts and condolences go to them. So many musical and friendship memories in the 15 years we have known each other, here in Montreal for our recording “L’Opera en Duo”, in 2008. Rest In Peace my dear Laurent, you will not be forgotten.

Devasté par la mort prématurée de mon ami et collègue Laurent Verney, magnifique alto solo de l’Opéra de Paris.

Mes pensées vont a sa maman, ses 2 grandes et belles filles, et sa compagne l’adorable Sabine. Je leur envoie mes condoléances.

Tant de souvenirs d’amitié et de musique en 15 ans, ici à Montréal en 2008 pour l’enregistrement de notre album « l’Opera en Duo ».

Repose en paix mon cher ami Laurent, tu resteras dans nos mémoires.

Bechara El-Khoury: Terrible and sad news! Our friend Laurent Verney passed away at the age of 61… Bike accident…… He was the 1st alto supersolist at the Paris Opera and a lovely person with a big heart… Musician Exceptional French, born in Lebanon in 1960 His mother taught at the National Conservatory of Music in Beirut and his father the great architect Raoul Verney had made many outstanding and magnificent constructions in Lebanon including the Fakra Chapel in the mountains. Peace to your soul my dear Laurent. We will never forget you..

Il était un gentleman de l’Alto et un collègue admirable.
Alto solo de l’@operadeparis ,
Laurent Verney est parti trop tôt suite à un accident de velo.
Je n’oublierai jamais toutes ces œuvres jouées ensemble dans les années 2000 et son immense gentillesse.
Tristesse immense. pic.twitter.com/ONVBcsAlXV

— Renaud Capuçon (@RCapucon) May 4, 2021