ARION is a Montreal-based baroque orchestra performing on period instruments. The ensemble was founded in 1981 by flautist Claire Guimond, violinist Chantal Rémillard, gambist Betsy MacMillan and harpsichordist Hank Knox. Claire Guimond has been ARION’s artistic director ever since its first concerts.

From the outset, ARION’s concerts were unanimously hailed for their clarity and gusto as well as their refined and expressive performances, chosen from a vast array of early music works. A meticulous attention to detail has placed ARION’s artistic achievements amongst those of the greatest current early music ensembles.

The orchestra calls upon world-renowned guest conductors to perform vocal and instrumental works in its high-profile series of concerts in Montreal. They include Barthold Kuijken, Monica Huggett, Jaap ter Linden, Daniel Cuiller and Elizabeth Wallfisch.

A recipient of numerous awards and grants, ARION has toured extensively throughout Canada, Europe, Mexico and the United States. The autumn of 2006 was also the occasion for ARION to tour Japan in its first Asian tour.

ARION’s discography features 25 CDs, distributed internationally both as a quartet and in a larger setting with the collaboration of such fine artists sopranos Agnès Mellon and Suzie LeBlanc, mezzo Kimberly Barber, countertenors Matthew White and Daniel Taylor, baritone Max van Egmond, violinist and conductor Monica Huggett, Barthold Kuijken and Jaap ter Linden, as well as some of the country’s top baroque soloists.

ARION is a member of early-music.com, a site committed to the promotion of some of the world’s finest early music artists.

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