David Chaillou

David Chaillou is a French composer and Lecturer at the University of Lille (Inspe, Arras site) since 2006. He teaches music education and history of the arts to future primary school teachers, and co-leads doctoral seminars in the Praxis and Aesthetics of the Arts team. His research-creation practice bridges composition, historical analysis, and cultural mediation.

• Doctorate in Contemporary History (Paris IV-Sorbonne, 2001)
• Graduate of Conservatoire de Paris (musical acoustics, piano, composition)

His research focuses on three axes: (1) contemporary hybrid musical forms intersecting theater and concert; (2) opera for young audiences and educational mediation; (3) 19th-century French opera in political contexts (censorship, propaganda). His compositions have been performed internationally at venues like Mozarteum Salzburg, Moscow Conservatory, and Rome’s Trinità dei Monti Church.

Recent projects include the nomination for ICMA 2025 for his monographic CD Natures, the world premiere of Un détour par l'Orient (2022) at Opéra Bastille, and collaborative research-creation initiatives with institutions in Austria, USA, and Taiwan. He directs the artistic association Inimaginaires and has received grants from Fondation Napoléon and Fondation Beaumarchais.

• Key Awards: Grand Prix de la Fondation Napoléon (2004), SACD/SACEM grants

Chaillou’s scientific expertise spans editorial work for Revue de Musicologie, jury roles (e.g., SACEM film music prize), and international conference organization. His publications include a monograph Napoléon et l’Opéra (Fayard, 2004) and edited musical books for children’s opera projects.