Les Délices is a classical music ensemble that specializes in French Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 2009 by oboist Debra Nagy, who serves as the artistic director and principal oboist. The ensemble is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has gained a reputation for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances. The ensemble's name, Les Délices, is French for "delights" or "pleasures," and reflects the group's mission to bring the pleasures of French Baroque music to audiences around the world. The ensemble's repertoire includes works by composers such as Jean-Philippe Rameau, François Couperin, and Marin Marais, as well as lesser-known composers of the period. Les Délices is made up of a core group of musicians, including Debra Nagy on oboe, Julie Andrijeski and Scott Metcalfe on violin, Emily Walhout on viola da gamba, and Michael Sponseller on harpsichord. The ensemble also collaborates with guest artists, including singers and instrumentalists, to create a rich and varied sound. One of the highlights of Les Délices' career was their performance at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2013. The festival is one of the most prestigious early music events in the world, and Les Délices was invited to perform their program "Myths & Allegories," which explored the themes of love, death, and transformation in French Baroque music. The ensemble received critical acclaim for their performance, with The Boston Globe praising their "exquisite playing" and "sensitive, expressive singing." In addition to their performances, Les Délices is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble offers workshops and masterclasses for students and amateur musicians, and has developed a program called "Baroque & Beyond," which introduces young audiences to the music and culture of the Baroque era. Les Délices has received numerous awards and accolades for their work. In 2015, the ensemble was awarded a prestigious Creative Workforce Fellowship from the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture in Cleveland. The fellowship provided funding for the ensemble to create a new program called "Songs Without Words," which explored the connections between French Baroque music and the poetry of the period. In 2017, Les Délices released their fifth album, "Songs Without Words," which was praised by critics for its "exquisite playing" and "sensitive, expressive singing." The album features works by composers such as Jean-Baptiste Lully, Michel Lambert, and Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and includes collaborations with guest artists such as soprano Clara Rottsolk and lutenist Charles Weaver. Les Délices continues to be a leading ensemble in the world of early music, and their innovative programming and virtuosic performances have earned them a devoted following. With their commitment to education and outreach, as well as their dedication to bringing the pleasures of French Baroque music to audiences around the world, Les Délices is sure to continue delighting audiences for years to come.

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