Les Ombres is a French classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Baroque era. The ensemble was founded in 2004 by two musicians, Margaux Blanchard and Sylvain Sartre, who shared a passion for early music and historical performance practices. Margaux Blanchard, a flutist, and Sylvain Sartre, a bassoonist, met while studying at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. They both had a strong interest in the music of the Baroque era and were drawn to the idea of performing this music on period instruments, using historically informed performance practices. The ensemble's name, Les Ombres, is French for "the shadows," which reflects the ensemble's focus on exploring the shadows and nuances of Baroque music. The ensemble's repertoire includes works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Rameau, as well as lesser-known composers from the Baroque era. Les Ombres has a core group of musicians, including Margaux Blanchard on flute, Sylvain Sartre on bassoon, and Emmanuel Resche on harpsichord. The ensemble also collaborates with other musicians, depending on the repertoire being performed. One of the highlights of Les Ombres' career was their performance at the Festival de Saintes in 2006. The festival is one of the most prestigious early music festivals in Europe, and Les Ombres' performance was well-received by both audiences and critics. The ensemble has since been invited to perform at other major early music festivals, including the Festival de Sablé and the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu. In 2008, Les Ombres released their debut album, "Les Ombres - Baroque Music for Flute, Bassoon and Harpsichord." The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for a Victoire de la Musique Classique award, one of the most prestigious classical music awards in France. Since then, Les Ombres has released several more albums, including "Telemann - Concertos pour flûte et basson" in 2011 and "Rameau - Les Indes Galantes" in 2017. The ensemble's recordings have been praised for their technical precision and their ability to capture the spirit of Baroque music. In addition to their performances and recordings, Les Ombres is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and they have also collaborated with schools and community organizations to bring Baroque music to a wider audience. Overall, Les Ombres has established themselves as one of the leading ensembles in the field of early music. Their commitment to historical performance practices and their ability to bring the music of the Baroque era to life has earned them critical acclaim and a dedicated following.

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