By the use of rare instruments, such as the theorbo, the lirone, the tiorbino and the arpa tripla, Le Poème Harmonique succeeded in understanding the ways of expression in ancient music, as it must have been in the past and as it should always be. This means that in accompanying vocal music, as well as in playing instrumental music, the researched sound first of all is an expressive, authentic and poetic one - a musical way of interpreting the words and a poetic way of interpreting the sound of music.

Since it's foundation, Le Poème Harmonique aims at renewing the early 17th century repertoire by presenting composers, who were exceptional and innovative in this period.

As the group's name says, it also searches to refine vocal interpretation in order to express the poetic dimension of music. These ideas inspired the group to study the vocal madrigal - especially the early17th century French and Italian madrigal - and to share their experience in courses for young professional solo singers (collaborating for this with the "Centre de Musique Baroque" of Versailles).

The group's recordings, with Alpha Productions, were a unique success amongst the media and the audience : "Diapason d'Or", record of the month in "Repertoire", "Opéra international", recommended by "Classica", "Choc" of "Le Monde de la Musique", selected by "Télérama", etc...

Vincent Dumestre has been elected "Jeune talent de l'année 1999" (Young talent of the year 1999) by "Diapason" for his work with Le Poème Harmonique, who received the award "Choc de l'année 99" by "Le Monde de la Musique" for it's Belli recording "Il Nuovo Stile"(Alpha 002). In 2001, the group is nominated whith the Lamentations of Cavalieri (Alpha 011) for the "best classic record" to the "Victoires de la Musique".