The group was founded in 1966 by Jean-Claude Malgoire and led by him until his death in April of 2018.
Alexis Kossenko, flautist and conductor, was named music director of the group in October 2019.
[1][2] While the ensemble has performed a wide repertoire from a variety of musical periods, the group has drawn particular acclaim for their performances of baroque music and the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The ensemble's recording of Antonio Vivaldi's Motezuma was awarded the Victoires de la musique classique in 1992.
The ensemble is supported financially by the France's Ministry of Culture and the city of Tourcoing.