Francesco Carotenuto (...) knows just how to hold the members in his hand, having conducted them with great success throughout the world. He regulates the effects, the rhythm, the attacks, the timbrical character, evidences the delivery without forcing the tempi, breathes liveliness and animation into the phrases without abbusing the accents. And it was like this that this premier concert flew, concise and with gusto, from the beginning to the end...

Under Francesco Carotenuto's musical direction, this is a group that is obviously capable of exalting the highest ideals of chamber music...

How nice to hear a concert of Baroque music that doesn't plod down the usual familiar highways. This polished and vigorous string orchestra is making its debut tour of Britain and very impressive it is too with its strong attacks, firm bright sound and sensitive musical discipline...

...a series of beautiful musical evenings of unquestionable good taste and solid musical preparation. This thanks to the baton of conductor Francesco Carotenuto and the talented soloists and members of his orchestra, whose warm and precise interpretations fully comunicate the spirit of the music to their very enthusiastic audience...

The greatly anticipated visit of the International Chamber Ensemble of Rome, which, apart from its English name is Italian through and through, was indeed everything it promised to be (...) Conductor Francesco Carotenuto guides his Ensemble with discipline and vitality (...) Particularly brilliant were the interpretations of the Italian modern classics on the program. The "Ancient Airs and Dances for Lute" by Respighi and N. Rota's "Concerto per archi" truely sparkled as the refined harmonies and rhythms of this music were presented with finesse and dynamic precision. The two encores (...) presented in response to the frenzied applause of the audience, further added to the strongly positive impression made by these italian guests.

Conductor Francesco Carotenuto and his chamber musicians are a fine-tuned and disciplined group whose taut musical precision consistently pervades their thoughtful interpretations (...) excitement and creativity explode at many levels

The Ensemble breathes life into its work. It is indeed rare to hear music played with such sensitivity despite the very difficult score

Maestro Francesco Carotenuto, pianist Marisa Candeloro and the orchestra transported us for two hours to another world of unbelievable beauty (...) reminding us pridefully of our culture and of what it is to be Italian

The Ensemble kept its large audience spellbound with its refined technique and beautiful sonorities...

...one of the most beautiful gifts made by the Italian Cultural Institute to our musical life here (...) The Ensemble's soft, deeply tender and sensitive style was like an acoustical and spiritual embrace...

...a chance to spend an evening in the company of good music performed by excellent musicians

...performances sure to satisfy the appetites of every kind of musical enthusiast