Le nom des Violons du Roy s’inspire du célèbre orchestre à cordes de la cour des rois de France. Réuni en 1984 par le chef fondateur Bernard Labadie, cet ensemble regroupe une quinzaine de musiciens qui se consacrent au répertoire pour orchestre de chambre. Bien qu’ils jouent sur instruments modernes, leur fréquentation des répertoires baroque et classique est influencée par les mouvements contemporains de renouveau dans l’interprétation des musiques du XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, pour laquelle ils utilisent des copies d’archets d’époque. De plus, Les Violons du Roy explorent régulièrement le répertoire des XIXe et XXe siècles. Au cœur de l’activité musicale de Québec, Les Violons du Roy s’inscrivent également dans l’offre culturelle de la ville de Montréal. Connus à travers l’Amérique du Nord entre autres grâce à leurs nombreux concerts diffusés sur les ondes de Radio-Canada, de CBC et du réseau NPR, ils ont également donné plusieurs dizaines de concerts en Europe, notamment au Concertgebouw d’Amsterdam et à la Philharmonie de Berlin. Leur présence aux États-Unis comprend de régulières escales, dont New York, Chicago et Los Angeles. La discographie des Violons du Roy, récipiendaire de trois prix Juno et d’un prix Félix, compte trente et un titres. Douze sont parus sous étiquette Dorian et dix sous étiquette ATMA. Avec Virgin Classics, désormais Erato/Warner Classics, l’orchestre a enregistré quatre disques, respectivement avec les solistes Vivica Genaux, Truls Mørk et Alexandre Tharaud. D’autres enregistrements ont aussi été réalisés avec, entre autres, Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Naïve), Marc-André Hamelin (Hyperion), Valérie Milot (Analekta) et Diane Dufresne.

Coming events

0

Friday, October 11, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – One of the 2022 BBC New Generation Artists and the first countertenor ever to win first prize at the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Awards in London, the young English-born Hugh Cutting has already worked with such conductors as William Christie and Philippe Herreweghe as well as Bernard Labadie, with whom he recently made his Carnegie Hall […]

0

Friday, March 21, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux hold a special place in our music community, and even more so at Les Violons du Roy! Since the very beginning of their respective careers, they have both ranked among the favourite guest artists of the public and the orchestra. It’s a real privilege to bring them together with Jonathan […]

0

Thursday, June 5, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – To round off the season, Les Violons du Roy Principal Guest Conductor Nicolas Ellis leads a programme of French music, with works composed before or just after the French Revolution, including a magnificent orchestral suite by Rameau, a superb symphony by Gossec and a cello concerto by Duport, a forgotten treasure which Raphaël Pidoux reveals […]

0

Thursday, June 5, 2025 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – To round off the season, Les Violons du Roy Principal Guest Conductor Nicolas Ellis leads a programme of French music, with works composed before or just after the French Revolution, including a magnificent orchestral suite by Rameau, a superb symphony by Gossec and a cello concerto by Duport, a forgotten treasure which Raphaël Pidoux reveals […]

0

Thursday, May 22, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for sharing. As soon as the concert is over, the musicians and the audience exchange ideas on the interpretations of some, the observations of others and, why not, receive suggestions for future projects!

0

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Bernard Labadie offers a brilliant programme of Italian, French and English music featuring his own arrangements of two Baroque masterpieces especially made for Les Violons du Roy: Bach’s monumental Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor and Pachelbel’s poignant Chaconne in E minor.

0

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for sharing. As soon as the concert is over, the musicians and the audience exchange ideas on the interpretations of some, the observations of others and, why not, receive suggestions for future projects!

0

Thursday, April 3, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – After his memorable Opus Award-winning debut with Les Violons du Roy in 2023, renowned violist Antoine Tamestit returns to the orchestra for a new collaboration that promises to be just as exhilarating and moving—a transcription for string orchestra of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 15.

0

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Bernard Labadie offers a brilliant programme of Italian, French and English music featuring his own arrangements of two Baroque masterpieces especially made for Les Violons du Roy: Bach’s monumental Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor and Pachelbel’s poignant Chaconne in E minor.

0

Thursday, April 3, 2025 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – After his memorable Opus Award-winning debut with Les Violons du Roy in 2023, renowned violist Antoine Tamestit returns to the orchestra for a new collaboration that promises to be just as exhilarating and moving—a transcription for string orchestra of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 15.

0

Thursday, March 13, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for conviviality and welcoming musicians. Musicians take it in turns to talk to the audience about their chosen works, the composers behind them, or the particularities of an instrument or playing technique.

0

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for conviviality and welcoming musicians. Musicians take it in turns to talk to the audience about their chosen works, the composers behind them, or the particularities of an instrument or playing technique.

0

Saturday, March 8, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm – It is easy to imagine the great Johann Sebastian Bach almost exclusively as an elderlyman, steeped in the greatest musical knowledge that only time and experience can bring. Yet it was a young man in his early twenties who handed down to us the powerful, true masterpieces that comprise his very first sacred cantatas. These […]

0

Friday, March 7, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm – It is easy to imagine the great Johann Sebastian Bach almost exclusively as an elderlyman, steeped in the greatest musical knowledge that only time and experience can bring. Yet it was a young man in his early twenties who handed down to us the powerful, true masterpieces that comprise his very first sacred cantatas. These […]

0

Thursday, February 27, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Three gifted soloists join Les Violons du Roy, conducted by Jonathan Cohen, in a concert dedicated to Mozart’s friendship and admiration for Anton Stadler, the greatest virtuoso clarinetist of his time. The programme also features works by three fellow composers who left a lasting impression on the young prodigy from Salzburg.

0

Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm – It is easy to imagine the great Johann Sebastian Bach almost exclusively as an elderlyman, steeped in the greatest musical knowledge that only time and experience can bring. Yet it was a young man in his early twenties who handed down to us the powerful, true masterpieces that comprise his very first sacred cantatas. These […]

0

Thursday, February 27, 2025 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Three gifted soloists join Les Violons du Roy, conducted by Jonathan Cohen, in a concert dedicated to Mozart’s friendship and admiration for Anton Stadler, the greatest virtuoso clarinetist of his time. The programme also features works by three fellow composers who left a lasting impression on the young prodigy from Salzburg.

0

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – The violinist Kerson Leong, Les Violons du Roy and conductor Nicolas Ellis join forces once again to create a programme featuring Mendelssohn’s last string quartet, composed in memory of his sister Fanny, and a brand new work conceived especially for this admirable team of performers by Kelly-Marie Murphy, one of Canada’s most accomplished composers.

0

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – The violinist Kerson Leong, Les Violons du Roy and conductor Nicolas Ellis join forces once again to create a programme featuring Mendelssohn’s last string quartet, composed in memory of his sister Fanny, and a brand new work conceived especially for this admirable team of performers by Kelly-Marie Murphy, one of Canada’s most accomplished composers.

0

Thursday, December 19, 2024 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for gustatory pleasure. Enjoying a drink and a bite to eat adds a festive note to the experience of these end-of-day concerts, which are a great way to unwind.

0

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for gustatory pleasure. Enjoying a drink and a bite to eat adds a festive note to the experience of these end-of-day concerts, which are a great way to unwind.

0

Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm – No one remains unmoved by the exceptional renditions of Handel’s Messiah offered by the combined forces of La Chapelle de Québec, Les Violons du Roy and Bernard Labadie. For this 40th-anniversary Messiah, our 18th production of the work, Bernard Labadie once again brings together an outstanding quartet of soloists, including Liv Redpath and William Thomas […]

0

Friday, December 13, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm – No one remains unmoved by the exceptional renditions of Handel’s Messiah offered by the combined forces of La Chapelle de Québec, Les Violons du Roy and Bernard Labadie. For this 40th-anniversary Messiah, our 18th production of the work, Bernard Labadie once again brings together an outstanding quartet of soloists, including Liv Redpath and William Thomas […]

0

Thursday, December 12, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm – No one remains unmoved by the exceptional renditions of Handel’s Messiah offered by the combined forces of La Chapelle de Québec, Les Violons du Roy and Bernard Labadie. For this 40th-anniversary Messiah, our 18th production of the work, Bernard Labadie once again brings together an outstanding quartet of soloists, including Liv Redpath and William Thomas […]

0

Friday, March 21, 2025 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux hold a special place in our music community, and even more so at Les Violons du Roy! Since the very beginning of their respective careers, they have both ranked among the favourite guest artists of the public and the orchestra. It’s a real privilege to bring them together with Jonathan […]

0

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux hold a special place in our music community, and even more so at Les Violons du Roy! Since the very beginning of their respective careers, they have both ranked among the favourite guest artists of the public and the orchestra. It’s a real privilege to bring them together with Jonathan […]

0

Saturday, October 12, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – One of the 2022 BBC New Generation Artists and the first countertenor ever to win first prize at the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Awards in London, the young English-born Hugh Cutting has already worked with such conductors as William Christie and Philippe Herreweghe as well as Bernard Labadie, with whom he recently made his Carnegie Hall […]

0

Thursday, October 10, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – One of the 2022 BBC New Generation Artists and the first countertenor ever to win first prize at the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Awards in London, the young English-born Hugh Cutting has already worked with such conductors as William Christie and Philippe Herreweghe as well as Bernard Labadie, with whom he recently made his Carnegie Hall […]

0

Thursday, October 3, 2024 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for musical choice. The musical programs in the Apéro series are chosen from the vast corpus of chamber music, covering almost five centuries of music. The repertoire for small ensembles is a special treat for string instruments.

0

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm – The Apéro series: for musical choice. The musical programs in the Apéro series are chosen from the vast corpus of chamber music, covering almost five centuries of music. The repertoire for small ensembles is a special treat for string instruments.

0

Thursday, June 6, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Known for her dazzling interpretations, Quebec soprano Andréanne Brisson Paquin is for the first time a guest with Les Violons du Roy. Osvaldo Golijov’s dreamlike music is at the heart of an irresistible program that takes us into a universe of folk rhythms with a poetic touch. Interludes by Canadian composer Claudie Bertounesque unify this […]

0

Thursday, June 6, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Known for her dazzling interpretations, Quebec soprano Andréanne Brisson Paquin is for the first time a guest with Les Violons du Roy. Osvaldo Golijov’s dreamlike music is at the heart of an irresistible program that takes us into a universe of folk rhythms with a poetic touch. Interludes by Canadian composer Claudie Bertounesque unify this […]

0

Thursday, May 30, 2024 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – To close the 10th edition of the Apéro series, Les Violons du Roy brings the whole orchestra together in a variety of works for string ensemble, with Max Bruch’s remarkable romantic String Octet as the centrepiece.

0

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – To close the 10th edition of the Apéro series, Les Violons du Roy brings the whole orchestra together in a variety of works for string ensemble, with Max Bruch’s remarkable romantic String Octet as the centrepiece.

0

Thursday, April 25, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Virtuoso guitarist Miloš has already captured the concert stages of Europe and Asia. He presents an all-baroque program for his first collaboration with Les Violons du Roy and Jonathan Cohen, a few months after the concert they performed together at Carnegie Hall in New York and on the eve of their North American tour. Miloš […]

0

Friday, April 12, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – La Chapelle de Québec in all its glory! Bernard Labadie conducts a selection of baroque works by some of the greatest composers of the time, including Vivaldi’s celebrated and joyful Gloria. With the outstanding choristers of La Chapelle de Québec, this program will delight all choral music lovers. Duration: 120 minutes including a 20-minute intermission

0

Thursday, April 11, 2024 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – La Chapelle de Québec in all its glory! Bernard Labadie conducts a selection of baroque works by some of the greatest composers of the time, including Vivaldi’s celebrated and joyful Gloria. With the outstanding choristers of La Chapelle de Québec, this program will delight all choral music lovers. Duration: 120 minutes including a 20-minute intermission

0

Thursday, October 5, 2023 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Vivaldi’s works are full of chamber music gems that celebrate the violin family and basso continuo. A few musicians with harpsichordist Mélisande McNabney offer us a delightful selection.

0

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Vivaldi’s works are full of chamber music gems that celebrate the violin family and basso continuo. A few musicians with harpsichordist Mélisande McNabney offer us a delightful selection.

0

Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – As the curtain rises on Les Violons du Roy’s 40th season, Jonathan Cohen is proud to present a ravishing and radiant work by a seasoned Vivaldi at the height of his career. A veritable miniature opera, La Sena festeggiante has been attracting a lot of attention in Europe in recent years. A grand allegorical celebration […]

0

Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – As the curtain rises on Les Violons du Roy’s 40th season, Jonathan Cohen is proud to present a ravishing and radiant work by a seasoned Vivaldi at the height of his career. A veritable miniature opera, La Sena festeggiante has been attracting a lot of attention in Europe in recent years. A grand allegorical celebration […]

0

Thursday, September 21, 2023 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – As the curtain rises on Les Violons du Roy’s 40th season, Jonathan Cohen is proud to present a ravishing and radiant work by a seasoned Vivaldi at the height of his career. A veritable miniature opera, La Sena festeggiante has been attracting a lot of attention in Europe in recent years. A grand allegorical celebration […]

0

Saturday, October 1, 2016 @ 7:30 pm – Anthony Marwood fusionne les époques en un concert hors du commun autour de la 5e Symphonie de Beethoven. Il unit ce monument de la musique à une œuvre forte du 20e siècle de l’un des plus grands compositeurs québécois, Claude Vivier. Programme C. VIVIER Zipangu S. MACKEY Four Iconoclastic Episodes pour violon, guitare électrique et […]