Les Ambassadeurs is a French classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 2004 by flutist and conductor Alexis Kossenko, who serves as the group's artistic director. Since its inception, Les Ambassadeurs has gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic performances, which have earned the group numerous awards and critical acclaim. The ensemble's name, Les Ambassadeurs, is a nod to the French court of Louis XIV, where music was an important part of courtly life. The group's mission is to revive the music of this era and bring it to modern audiences. Les Ambassadeurs is known for its historically informed performances, which use period instruments and techniques to recreate the sound of Baroque music as it would have been heard in the 17th and 18th centuries. The main members of Les Ambassadeurs are Alexis Kossenko, who plays the flute and serves as the group's conductor, and violinist and concertmaster Veronika Skuplik. Other members of the ensemble include cellist Atsushi Sakaï, harpsichordist and organist Olivier Fortin, and viola da gamba player Marianne Muller. The group also collaborates with a number of guest artists, including sopranos Sandrine Piau and Sabine Devieilhe. Les Ambassadeurs has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Salzburg Festival. The group has also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including a series of albums dedicated to the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau. One of the highlights of Les Ambassadeurs' career was their performance of Rameau's opera Les Indes Galantes at the Opéra Comique in Paris in 2016. The production, which was directed by Clément Cogitore, was praised for its innovative staging and dynamic performances. The ensemble also received critical acclaim for their performance of Handel's oratorio Messiah at the Salzburg Festival in 2019. Les Ambassadeurs has received numerous awards and accolades for their performances and recordings. In 2012, the group was awarded the Diapason d'Or for their recording of Rameau's Les Boréades. They have also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Opera Recording for their performance of Rameau's Hippolyte et Aricie in 2014. In addition to their performances and recordings, Les Ambassadeurs is committed to education and outreach. The group regularly conducts workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and they have collaborated with a number of educational institutions, including the Juilliard School in New York and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Overall, Les Ambassadeurs is a dynamic and innovative ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the revival of Baroque music. With their historically informed performances and commitment to education and outreach, the group has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading interpreters of this era of music.

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