Joël Thiffault

Joël Thiffault enjoys an active career as a soloist and continuo player. A conductor, he founded the Montreal Baroque Orchestra in 1989, an ensemble specializing in the performance of Baroque, Classical, and Romantic repertoire on period instruments. With the orchestra, he has performed at the Lanaudière International Festival and toured extensively in France, Belgium, Turkey, and Mexico. In 1992, he received the Grand Prize for Music from the du Maurier Arts Council. A long-time commentator on Radio-Canada, Joël Thiffault hosted and created a highly acclaimed 15-episode series on early music in the fall of 1994. The revitalization of early music, audience development, and contemporary Canadian music creation are central to his artistic concerns. He is considered one of Canada’s leading figures in early music. In May 1999, Joël Thiffault conducted the Canadian premiere of the opera Alcina on period instruments in a semi-staged version. With his 7 soloists, 20 choristers and 50 musicians, he skillfully presented one of the most splendid versions offered to Montreal audiences.