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La Bande Montréal Baroque is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 1989 by Eric Milnes, a harpsichordist and conductor who was then a student at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Milnes was inspired to start the ensemble after attending a concert by the English Baroque Soloists, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, in Montreal. He was struck by the energy and passion of the musicians, and he wanted to create a similar ensemble in Montreal. Milnes recruited a group of like-minded musicians, many of whom were also students at McGill, and they began rehearsing together. The ensemble's first concert was in 1990, and it was a great success. The musicians were praised for their virtuosity and their commitment to the music, and they quickly gained a following in Montreal. Over the years, La Bande Montréal Baroque has grown in size and reputation. The ensemble now includes some of the finest Baroque musicians in Canada, and it has performed at major festivals and concert halls around the world. The ensemble has also recorded several albums, which have been critically acclaimed. One of the highlights of La Bande Montréal Baroque's career was its performance of Handel's Messiah in 2009. The ensemble performed the work in the original version, which included a smaller orchestra and choir than the more commonly performed version. The performance was praised for its intimacy and clarity, and it was hailed as one of the best performances of Messiah in recent years. Another highlight of the ensemble's career was its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 2012. The performance was conducted by Eric Milnes, and it featured a stellar cast of soloists, including tenor Charles Daniels and bass-baritone Matthew Brook. The performance was praised for its emotional depth and its musicality, and it was hailed as one of the best performances of the work in recent years. La Bande Montréal Baroque has also won several awards over the years. In 2003, the ensemble won the Prix Opus for Best Concert of the Year for its performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor. In 2010, the ensemble won the Prix Opus for Best Early Music Concert of the Year for its performance of Handel's Messiah. And in 2013, the ensemble won the Prix Opus for Best Early Music Concert of the Year for its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. The main members of La Bande Montréal Baroque include Eric Milnes (harpsichord and conductor), Olivier Brault (violin), Mélisande Corriveau (viola da gamba), and Susie Napper (viola da gamba). These musicians are all highly respected in the Baroque music world, and they bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the ensemble. In conclusion, La Bande Montréal Baroque is a world-class ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the performance and interpretation of Baroque music. The ensemble's commitment to authenticity, musicality, and emotional depth has won it many fans and accolades over the years, and it continues to be a major force in the world of classical music.

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