The Theatre of Early Music (TEM) is a new ensemble of some of the world's finest musicians, sharing a particular passion for early music. Its formation is the result of a search of instrumentalists and singers for opportunities that would allow devotion and dedication to enter into the creative process.

The core of TEM consists of a Montreal

Montreal

Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...

-based ensemble primarily made up of young musicians whose distinctive style, coupled with Daniel Taylor

Daniel Taylor (countertenor)

Daniel Taylor is a Canadian countertenor and early music specialist. He completed his undergraduate studies in English, philosophy, and music at the the Faculty of Music of McGill University and his graduate work in religion and music at the Université de Montréal...

's expertise and enthusiasm, leads to captivating readings of magnificent but often neglected works. In various constellations, leading international musicians in the field perform on the platform provided by the Theatre of Early Music in their regular TEM concert series in Canada, on tours around the world and on recordings.

The TEM is directed by Daniel Taylor and presents guest artists such as Emma Kirkby

Emma Kirkby

Dame Carolyn Emma Kirkby, DBE is an English soprano singer and one of the world's most renowned early music specialists. She attended Sherborne School For Girls in Dorset and was a classics student at Somerville College, Oxford, and an English teacher before developing a career as a soloist...

, Deborah York

Deborah York

Deborah York is a British classical soprano in concert and opera, living in Berlin.- Biography :Deborah York studied voice at the University of Manchester, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree, and in London with Laura Sarti and Janice Chapman.She has appeared regularly at the Bayerische...

, Suzie LeBlanc

Suzie LeBlanc

Suzie LeBlanc is a Canadian soprano and early music specialist, who has enjoyed an active international career performing in concerts throughout Europe, North America and Japan, in repertoire ranging from lute songs to chamber music to oratorio and early opera.Suzie LeBlanc specializes in the 17th...

, Karina Gauvin, Nancy Argenta, Gillian Keith, Carolyn Sampson, Charles Daniels, Benjamin Butterfield, James Gilchrist

James Gilchrist (tenor)

James Gilchrist is a British tenor specialising in recital and oratoria singing. He began his working life as a doctor, turning to a full-time music career in 1996...

, Michiel Schrey, James Bowman, Robin Blaze

Robin Blaze

- Childhood and education :The son of a professional golfer Peter, Robin Blaze grew up in Shadwell, near Leeds and was educated at Leeds Grammar School, Uppingham School, and Magdalen College, Oxford....

, Michael Chance

Michael Chance

Michael Chance CBE is an English countertenor.Chance was born in Penn, Buckinghamshire, into a musical family. After growing up as a chorister he attended Eton College, Berkshire, and later King's College, Cambridge...

, Peter Harvey, Stephen Varcoe

Stephen Varcoe

Stephen Varcoe is an English classical bass-baritone singer, appearing internationally in opera and concert, known for Baroque and contemporary music and a notable singer of Lieder.- Professional career :...

, Daniel Lichti, Paul Whelan and Michael George.

The work of the Theatre of Early Music most recently has included productions with full orchestra and choir conducted by Daniel Taylor. In Canada, the TEM is perhaps best known for the attention to the compositions at or around the time of Bach; this includes choral literature by Kuhnau

Johann Kuhnau

Johann Kuhnau was a German composer, organist and harpsichordist.-Biography :Kuhnau was born in Geising, Saxony. He grew up in a religious Lutheran family. At age nine, he auditioned successfully for the Kreuzschule in Dresden...

, Tunder

Franz Tunder

Franz Tunder was a German composer and organist of the early to middle Baroque era. He was an important link between the early German Baroque style which was based on Venetian models, and the later Baroque style which culminated in the music of J.S...

, Bruhns

Nicolaus Bruhns

Nicolaus Bruhns was a German organist, violinist, and composer. He was one of the most prominent organists and composers of his generation.-Life:...

 and the early Cantatas of Bach.

The Theatre of Early Music recently signed a long-term contract with the BIS Records

BIS Records

BIS Records is a record label founded in 1973 by Robert von Bahr. It is located in Åkersberga, Sweden.BIS focuses on classical music, both contemporary and early, especially works that are not already well represented by existing recordings....

 label. Their first recording on the BIS label, Couperin

Couperin

The Couperin family were a musical dynasty of professional composers and performers. They were the most prolific family in French musical history, active during the Baroque era...

's Leçons De Ténèbres, was released in March 2005. Gramophone: "Beauty of this recording bows to no other." The second was the highly praised and best-selling Renaissance disc, Love Bade Me Welcome, featuring the actor Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes is an English actor and film director. He has appeared in such films as The English Patient, In Bruges, The Constant Gardener, Strange Days, The Duchess and Schindler's List....

reading poetry as well as countertenor duets with James Bowman and Daniel Taylor. The TEM has also recorded the Bach setting of the Pergolesi Stabat Mater with Emma Kirkby.

The Theatre of Early Music is Canada's only period-instrument ensemble now representing their work with the support of major recording companies.

The TEM became a registered non-profit organization in 2002 and a charitable organization in August 2004.