Sharing a January 24, 2025 interviewing article about André Rieu's guest performer, pan flutist Michel
Tirabosco, from Favre Face, the French magazine for living better with disabilities.
Article found and translated by Diana D. Le. Thank you Diana!
Michel Tirabosco, flutist: “Music is my guide”
by Claudine Colozzi
photos by Publisher Favre, Clement Rousset, and ARP.
January 24, 2025
In his book “Le souffle de ma vie” (The Breath of My Life), available in bookstores since January
14, 2025, Swiss pan flutist Michel Tirabosco, 56, recounts his “life journey” with a desire to “share
sincerely and authentically.” Born with a congenital malformation affecting both arms, this
musician, who is currently on a world tour with the famous violinist André Rieu, recounts how
music has been his guide.
Favre-face.fr: Did you enjoy the introspective work involved in writing an autobiographical book?
Michel Tirabosco: I enjoyed telling my story, thanks in particular to Zahi Haddad, who helped me with the
writing. In life, we reach milestones. It was the right time. I would like it to be seen as a sincere sharing of
experience. And not as something pretentious or moralizing. I also wanted to recount all the encounters
that helped me grow, the musicians, my students. My happiness comes from other people. My story is a
human adventure. I never thought about pursuing a career. I just followed my instincts, being curious and
open to the unknown.
F-f.fr: As mentioned on the back cover, your book is as much to be listened to as it is to be read.
Why are there so many music suggestions at the end of the book?
MT: To introduce readers to the songs that have accompanied me. I like the fact that all these suggestions
come from very diverse repertoires, taking us on a journey from Alain Souchon to Mozart and Bach, via
John Williams.
F-f.fr: What role has music played in your life?
MT: It's my guide, my lover. I was 7 when my father gave me my first pan flute. As soon as I picked it up, I
knew instinctively that we were made for each other. It never felt like work, but always like fun.
F-f.fr: You write: “Sometimes I surprise people when I tell them that my disability has taken me to
stages around the world. That I owe it everything.” What do you mean?
MT: Disability is part of my life. I was born with a congenital malformation. My arms are atrophied and I
wear a prosthesis on my right leg. I have never felt limited. On the contrary, my disability has helped me to
move forward and get to know myself better. I have learned to control my every movement.
In fact, life has taught me that disability is in the eye of the beholder. Of course, I still sometimes struggle
with my image when concerts are filmed, for example. But ultimately, my difference disappears on stage.
Some people have told me that they don't pay attention to it anymore.
F-f.fr: On that note, do you feel that society is becoming more inclusive?
MT: Of course! The latest Paralympic Games are proof of that. But I would like to see disability become
more normalized. I would like society to perceive us more for what we do. I'm not an activist for the cause
of disability, but when I'm invited to speak, I'm there. I prefer to “fight” with my music!
An offer from André Rieu that couldn't be refused
F-f.fr: You joined André Rieu's tour in 2025 as a soloist. How did that come about?
MT: I wrote to him at the beginning of last year [2024] to tell him how much I appreciated his approach to
music. He makes classical compositions accessible to everyone. I also sent him a video I had just
recorded of "Across the Stars", the love theme from John Williams' Star Wars soundtrack. He called me
back, very simply. I couldn't believe it! He was looking for a soloist to record this piece. When I met him, he
also offered me the chance to accompany him on his tour of 80 concerts around the world.
F-f.fr: What do you think this experience will bring you?
MT: We've already done three concerts together, and I already consider myself lucky. I only play two
pieces. It goes by very quickly, but it's also very intense. And it's wonderful exposure. André Rieu
introduces me before I go on stage. It wasn't my disability that made him choose me. He considers me a
musician in my own right, but he wants the audience to get to know me better.
It's a new experience for me to play in a tailcoat, because all the musicians are in evening dress. In my
daily life, I am surrounded by people. During this tour, I will have to learn to fend for myself, even though I
feel a lot of kindness around me. It will open up new perspectives for me.
Le souffle de ma vie (The Breath of My Life), Michel Tirabosco and Zahi Haddad, Éditeur Favre, 2025,
168 p., €18.
The book jacket of the back and front covers of “The souffle de ma vie”.