This French historical-performance ensemble differs from other groups specializing in Baroque music in its focus on opera and other dramatic genres. Whether performing well-known works or resurrecting forgotten ones, Les Nouveaux Caractères base their interpretations on detailed historical research. The ensemble was founded in 2006 by Caroline Mutel and Sébastien d'Hérin; the latter remains their director. The group has performed 17th century operas and works in related genres, including Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea and L'Orfeo, as well as the Vespers of 1610, and several works by Henry Purcell, whose triple orientation toward music, theater, and dance was suited to their approach.

They have also resurrected nearly forgotten works such as Colin de Blamont's Égine, Rameau's Les Surprises de l'Amour, Leclair's Scylla et Glaucus, Campra's L'Europe Galante, Antonio Salieri's Don Chisciotte alle nozze di Gamace, and Cherubini's Pimmalione. They have collaborated with leading French directors including Émilie Valantin, Christiane Véricel, and Benjamin Lazar, and their performances have taken them to the Salle Gaveau, the Opéra-Comique, the Maurice Ravel Auditorium in Lyon, the Royal Opera and the Petit Théâtre de la Reine in Versailles, and the Bordeaux Opera House, as well as to several major festivals. Despite the specialized nature of their work, their performances are enjoyable and accessible, and they have even mounted shows for young listeners such as Bach = 14, where they collaborated with the juggler Clement Dazin.

Much of the repertory taken up by Les Nouveaux Caractères involves considerable logistical challenges, but they have succeeded in making several attractive and critically well-received albums. Their debut came in 2013 on the Glossa label with Les Surprises de l'Amour, and three years later their Alpha label performance of Leclair's almost unknown Scylla et Glaucus with Emoke Baráth and Anders J. Dahlin earned an editor's choice nod from Gramophone. They returned to Glossa for their 2017 recording of Purcell's The Fairy Queen, and they planned a recording on Alpha of L'Europe Galant at the Royal Opera of Versailles. ~ James Manheim, Rovi