Genre

:

Vocal

 

Les Boréades de Montréal is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1991 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The ensemble is known for its performances of Baroque and Classical music, and has gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic interpretations of these genres. The founding members of Les Boréades de Montréal were Francis Colpron, a flutist and conductor, and Hélène Plouffe, a violinist. Both Colpron and Plouffe had previously performed with other ensembles, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Arion. They were joined by a group of other musicians who shared their passion for Baroque and Classical music, and together they formed Les Boréades de Montréal. The ensemble takes its name from the opera Les Boréades, which was composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau in the 18th century. The opera tells the story of a mythical tribe of people who live in the far north, and the music is characterized by its use of traditional French dance forms and intricate harmonies. Les Boréades de Montréal chose this name as a tribute to Rameau and his influence on Baroque music. Since its founding, Les Boréades de Montréal has become one of the most respected classical music ensembles in Canada. The ensemble has performed at major festivals and concert halls throughout North America and Europe, and has collaborated with some of the world's most renowned musicians. One of the highlights of Les Boréades de Montréal's career was their performance at the 2004 Montreal Baroque Festival. The ensemble performed a program of music by Johann Sebastian Bach, which included his Brandenburg Concertos and his Orchestral Suite No. 3. The performance was widely praised for its energy and precision, and cemented Les Boréades de Montréal's reputation as one of the leading Baroque ensembles in the world. Another notable performance by Les Boréades de Montréal was their collaboration with the Canadian Opera Company in 2012. The ensemble provided the music for a production of Handel's opera Semele, which was directed by renowned Canadian director Robert Carsen. The production was a critical and commercial success, and helped to introduce a new generation of music lovers to the beauty and complexity of Baroque opera. In addition to their performances, Les Boréades de Montréal has also received numerous awards and accolades for their recordings. The ensemble has released several albums on the ATMA Classique label, including recordings of music by Bach, Vivaldi, and Telemann. These recordings have been praised for their clarity and precision, and have won several awards, including a Juno Award for Best Classical Album in 2003. Les Boréades de Montréal is known for its commitment to historical accuracy in its performances. The ensemble uses period instruments and follows historical performance practices, which means that they strive to recreate the sound and style of music as it would have been performed in the Baroque and Classical eras. This attention to detail has earned the ensemble a reputation for authenticity and excellence, and has helped to establish them as one of the leading Baroque ensembles in the world. Today, Les Boréades de Montréal continues to perform and record music from the Baroque and Classical eras. The ensemble is led by Francis Colpron, who serves as both conductor and artistic director.

More....