Les Violons du Roy

In 1984, Bernard Labadie founded the ensemble, following productions at the Université Laval of the Baroque operas Dido and Aeneas and L'incoronazione di Poppea, using the orchestra for these productions as the new ensemble's core.

The ensemble's name is an adaptation of the 17th century French royal court orchestra Les Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi.

[3] In October 2016, the orchestra announced the appointment of Jonathan Cohen as its music director, effective with the 2017-2018 season.

[4][5] In November 2022, the orchestra announced the appointment of Nicolas Ellis as its next principal guest conductor, effective with the 2023-2024 season.

[6] The orchestra has recorded commercially for the Dorian,[7] Virgin Classics,[8] and ATMA Classique labels.