The orchestra Les Ambassadeurs ~ La Grande Écurie embodies the meeting of two exceptional musical ensembles, uniting the prestigious heritage of La Grande Écurie and La Chambre du Roy, founded in 1966 by Jean-Claude Malgoire, with the innovative and passionate drive of Les Ambassadeurs, an ensemble created in 2012 by Alexis Kossenko. This artistic marriage is a true meeting of pioneering minds, deeply attached to the authentic rediscovery of music, guided by a rigorous approach that respects historical contexts.

 

Jean-Claude Malgoire revolutionized musical interpretation by reintroducing period instruments, shedding new light on six centuries of repertoire, from Machaut to Debussy. This unique approach inspired a generation of musicians to rediscover works of the past from a historical perspective that often went against the grain of dominant practices. The orchestra continues Malgoire's legacy with historical rigor and great expressiveness, particularly in the French Baroque repertoire.

 

Their repertoire performed on period instruments reflects this quest for authenticity. Whether revisiting rare, sometimes forgotten or abandoned versions, such as Zoroastre – 1749, the original version of Mendelssohn's "Reformation" Symphony or the meticulous reconstruction of Lully's Atys, each project is an opportunity to explore little-known facets of musical history, and as many testimonies of this desire to constantly renew the creative and sonic approach.

 

Their artistic project is guided by common threads that structure their repertoire: Bach's Cantatas and Passions; French Baroque opera with a focus on Rameau; the repertoire of the Dresden Orchestra; as well as the symphonic work of Mendelssohn.

 

Since 2021, the ensemble has performed on the biggest European stages and festivals, notably at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, the Opéra-Comique and the Utrecht Festival. Its regularly award-winning discography bears witness to its artistic commitment. Proud of its roots in Hauts-de-France, the orchestra remains attached to its region, performing regularly in Tourcoing and beyond, while making its music accessible to all audiences, in and outside performance halls.