The Ottawa Baroque Consort is Ottawa's professional Baroque orchestra on period instruments. We specialize in the repertoire from the Baroque and Classical eras, with a fresh perspective based on historically informed performance practices. Founded in 2005, originally as a chamber ensemble, the Consort started performing as an orchestra in 2012, under the direction of Olivier Henchiri. Our concerts offer audiences a new look at the 17th and 18th centuries through unique and entertaining presentations such as actor-led theatrical programs, audience challenge concerts, and engaging concert talks. That and, of course, fantastic live Baroque music!
Our Signature Series
This concert format, combining music and theatre, recaptures the elegance and excitment of the Baroque through the adventures of a historical character, and offers you a glimpse into the world where Baroque music was performed for the first time.
Do you know your Bach from your Vivaldi? This interactive concert format will challenge you to listen to Baroque music in ways that you may not have thought possible - first with lively commentary and musical examples, and then with a final performance.
A strong advocate for early music in Ottawa for over fifteen years, Olivier Henchiri founded and co-directs the Ottawa Baroque Consort, an orchestra on period instruments. He is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music in Gatineau and studied historical performance at the Tafelmusik Baroque Institute. He has performed cello in several chamber ensembles, orchestras and festivals in Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal, and Toronto. He has collaborated and performed with choirs such as the Seventeen Voyces, Caelis Academy Ensemble, and the Cantata Singers of Ottawa.
An engaging communicator, Olivier is increasingly known for his creative and entertaining seminars and talks on Baroque music. He has recently given two popular series of 6 lectures on Baroque music appreciation as part of Carleton University's Lifelong Learning Program, cello masterclasses at the Conservatory in Gatineau, a chamber workshop at CAMMAC, talks and multidisciplinary events at the National Gallery of Canada, the Bank of Canada Museum, the Ottawa Numismatic Society, and the Odyssey Theatre.
When performing on period instruments, Olivier plays on a German Baroque cello dated circa 1725, generously loaned by the Paul Hahn Fund.
Lisa Wall - co-director & clarinettist
A graduate of the Conservatory of Music in Gatineau, clarinettist Lisa Wall was a member of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and, while living in Germany, performed with orchestras in Freiburg, Offenburg and Baden. She has performed on period instruments with the Ottawa Baroque Consort and the Galileo Orchestra near Montreal. She is an active freelancer performing with local ensembles, orchestras and choirs, and she has offered clarinet workshops for the Conservatory in Gatineau and MusicFest Canada.
An interest in period instruments led her to join the Ottawa Baroque Consort in 2018 to promote historical performance practice in Ottawa. She has given early music presentations with the Consort, demonstrating the difference between modern and historical clarinets, and the development of wind instruments in the 18th century. Lisa looks forward to including more wind instruments in the Consort's future programming and extending its range to include the rich repertoire of the Classical period.
Olivier Henchiri - co-director & cellist
Lisa Wall - co-director & clarinettist
