Founded in 1980 by its Artistic Director and Conductor, Francesco Carotenuto, the International Chamber Ensemble of Rome is a professional ensemble whose musical elasticity makes it possible to perform a much greater variety of the chamber orchestra repertory than ever before represented by an Italian ensemble.

Following its Rome debut under the prestigious auspices of the Accademia Filarmonica Romana in 1981, the International Chamber Ensemble has embarked on what is now known throughout Italy as one of the most exciting success stories to be witnessed in the Italian musical community.

Each year the International Chamber Ensemble presents a popular series of concerts in the city of Rome which provides a complete and stimulating choice of music from the repertory of the various formations possible from within the Ensemble.

Furthermore, since 1998 the Ensemble, in collaboration with the Opera Academy of Rome, presents fully staged and costumed operatic productions, adding a company of first-class singers, technical crew and artistic direction to the International Chamber Ensemble orchestra.

The Ensemble enjoys frequent invitations from many of the most prestigious concert institutions and societies in Italy and abroad.  The International Chamber Ensemble made its international debut in the United States in 1987 and has since enjoyed numerous invitations to perform throughout the world, including five tours to the U.S., two to Japan and repeated tours in Canada, Russia, England, Finland, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.

The International Chamber Ensemble regularly records for the Italian National Radio/TV network (the RAI) as well as the Vatican Radio, and has appeared on numerous American, European and Japanese radio and TV networks. The Ensemble has released several recordings: within the participation of the pianist Marisa Candeloro, two compact disc recordings including works by Mozart, Respighi, Stravinsky, Britten and Bartok. Furthermore, recently ICE realized other four new CDs and DVDs.