Les Surprises is a French classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 2009 by Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas, a harpsichordist and conductor who had previously worked with other Baroque ensembles such as Les Arts Florissants and Le Concert Spirituel. The ensemble's name, Les Surprises, is a reference to the unexpected and surprising elements that can be found in Baroque music. The ensemble's mission is to bring this music to life in a way that is both historically informed and engaging for modern audiences. The core members of Les Surprises are Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas (harpsichord), Thibault Roussel (violin), Alice Julien-Laferrière (violin), and Robin Pharo (cello). However, the ensemble often collaborates with other musicians and singers depending on the repertoire being performed. One of the highlights of Les Surprises' career was their performance at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence in 2012. The ensemble performed a program of music by Jean-Philippe Rameau, one of the most important composers of the French Baroque era. The performance was praised for its energy, precision, and musicality, and helped to establish Les Surprises as one of the leading Baroque ensembles in France. In 2014, Les Surprises released their debut album, "Les Surprises de l'Amour," which featured music by Rameau and other French Baroque composers. The album was well-received by critics and helped to further establish the ensemble's reputation. Since then, Les Surprises has continued to perform and record music from the Baroque era, with a particular focus on French composers such as Rameau, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and Marin Marais. The ensemble has also collaborated with other musicians and ensembles, including the vocal ensemble Pygmalion and the conductor Raphaël Pichon. In addition to their performances and recordings, Les Surprises has also been recognized with several awards and honors. In 2015, the ensemble was awarded the Prix Bettencourt Schueller, which recognizes excellence in the arts and sciences in France. The award helped to raise the ensemble's profile and bring their music to a wider audience. Overall, Les Surprises is a talented and innovative ensemble that is dedicated to bringing the music of the Baroque era to life in a way that is both historically informed and engaging for modern audiences. With their energy, precision, and musicality, they have established themselves as one of the leading Baroque ensembles in France and beyond.

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