ARION orchestre baroque

Arion baroque orchestra, founded in 1981, is the only early music orchestra performing on period instruments in Québec. The clarity and freshness of Arion’s interpretations have been remarked upon since its first concerts; the delicacy of its readings of well-chosen and varied works has never wavered in 29 years. Constant attention to detail has earned the orchestra, led by the enlightened artistic vision of flutist Claire Guimond, a place among the most renowned early music ensembles in North America and throughout the world.

The group offers a prestigious concert series in Montréal featuring more than twenty musicians and with the participation of internationally known guest conductors. Arion has hosted such celebrated conductors as Jaap ter Linden, Monica Huggett, Barthold Kuijken, Daniel Cuiller and Elizabeth Wallfisch, to name just a few.

Arion has been awarded many prizes and grants that have enabled the orchestra to stage concert tours regularly in Québec, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe. In 2006, Arion made its first tour to Asia.

Arion has also put together an impressive recording collection with 25 titles both as an ensemble and as an orchestra, distributed internationally and on the web. Such famous artists as sopranos Agnes Mellon and Suzie LeBlanc, mezzo Kimberly Barber, altos Matthew White and Daniel Taylor, baritone Max van Egmond and violinist Monica Huggett, as well as Barthold Kuijken and Jaap ter Linden plus a star-studded galaxy of soloists from among the best early music musicians in the country has performed with Arion.

Arion, a true ambassador of Baroque musical heritage, is a partner of the Fondation Arion and of www.early-music.com, a site devoted to promoting and broadcasting early music artists. Arion is also an active member of: the Conseil Québécois de la Musique, the Guilde des musiciens – of the Union des Artistes du Québec, Culture Montréal, the American Federation of Musicians, and Orchestrascanada.org.