A Baroque ensemble of the new generation, Les Ombres was founded by Sylvain Sartre and Margaux Blanchard in 2006 with the aim of closely linking musicological research and 'historically informed' interpretation. In their quest to rediscover forgotten masterpieces of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, its members seek to unite the emblematic arts of the Baroque theatre, so that musicians, singers, dancers and actors become interpreters of one and the same score. These specificities make the ensemble a space for creativity and expression, a human and musical adventure. Inspired by music as an art in constant evolution, Les Ombres also give priority to the exploration of new horizons, ranging from the traditional patrimony to contemporary creations.

The nucleus of Les Ombres is formed by three musicians trained at the Schola Cantorum of Basel: Margaux Blanchard (viola da gamba), nadja Lesaulnier (harpsichord), and Sylvain Sartre (transverse flute). According to the needs of specific programmes, this trio is supplemented by violins, flutes, bas- soon, theorbo, and so on. Alongside the instrumental rep- ertoire, the ensemble devotes an important place to vocal music and dramaturgy. It has therefore invited for this CD Mélodie Ruvio, a mezzo-soprano who came to the members' attention in the title role of Le Carnaval et la Folie conducted by Hervé niquet at the European Baroque Academy of Ambronay in 2007, and the actor and director Manuel Weber, a specialist in Baroque theatre, whom they met at the creation of a production devoted to the fables of La Fontaine.

After coming to the attention of Barthold Kuijken and Jesper Christensen, Les Ombres won second prize at the À Tre international early music competition in Trossingen.
The ensemble now appears in many parts of the world, including the Ambronay Festival, the Jeunes Talents Festival, the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Fabulous Fringe in utrecht, the Sala Greppi in Bergamo, and Hakuju Hall in Tokyo. It is strongly committed to young audiences, and regularly presents educational programmes, notably with the children's choir of the IRVEM (Institut de recherche vocale et d'enseignement musical).
Released in 2010, the first recording of Les Ombres, "Concert chez la reine" (Ambronay Editions/Harmonia Mundi) received a lot of awards : ffff Télérama, 3 stars Classica, Top 5 Classiquenews, 5/5 Muse baroque,...

From September 2011, Les Ombres will be in "residence" at the Opera-Ttheater of Saint-Etienne for 3 years.