General Management

About the Ensemble

Ensemble Castor is one of Austria’s most distinguished ensembles specialising in period-instrument performances of Baroque chamber music. Founded in 2010 by the violinist Petra Samhaber-Eckhardt, this renowned ensemble from Linz is dedicated to the historically informed performance of music from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Biography

Named after the twin star Castor, the ensemble is distinguished by its uncompromising musical interplay that combines technical virtuosity with a passionate joy of performing.

Comprising top-class Austrian and international musicians, its musical focus is on the Italian Seicento, the Venetian school, and the rediscovery and exploration of forgotten Baroque gems from Upper Austria and Bavaria.

Read more…Das Ensemble gastiert regelmäßig bei renommierten internationalen Festivals (u. a. Internationale Barocktage Stift Melk, Carinthischer Sommer, Händel Festspiele Halle, Boston Early Music Festival, Vancouver Early Music Festival, Frankfurter Klosterkonzerte, Innsbrucker Festwochen, Festspiele Bad Arolsen, Donaufestwochen) sowie in bedeutenden Konzerthäusern wie dem Brucknerhaus Linz oder der Elbphilharmonie. Neben reinen Instrumentalkonzerten arbeitet das Ensemble Castor intensiv mit internationalen Größen der Alten Musik zusammen, darunter der italienische Barockgeiger Enrico Onofri sowie herausragende Vokalsolisten wie Silvia Frigato, Alois Mühlbacher und Christina Gansch. Für seine Verdienste wurde das Ensemble mit dem Kulturförderungspreis der Stadt Linz ausgezeichnet.

Photos & Media

Ensemble Castor, Barbara Fischer, Lachenmann Music, Credits the artist
© Barbara Fischer
Ensemble Castor, Philipp Comploi, Lachenmann Music, Credits Reinhard Winkler
© Reinhard Winkler
Ensemble Castor, Hana Hobiger, Lachenmann Music, Credits the artist
© Hana Hobiger
Ensemble Castor, Lachenmann Music, Credits Reinhard Winkler
© Reinhard Winkler
Ensemble Castor, Lachenmann Music, Credits Volker Weihbold
© Reinhard Winkler
Ensemble Castor, Claudia Delago-Norz, Lachenmann Music, Credits Simon Rainer
© Simon Rainer
Ensemble Castor, Peter Aigner, Lachenmann Music, Credits Reinhard Winkler
© Reinhard Winkler

„Late Baroque music can only be interpreted with such authenticity, such compelling phrasing and such exquisite tonal balance when creative artistry is matched by unwavering commitment.“ — Oberösterreichisches Volksblatt

Upcoming performances

Ensemble Castor | Virtuos Baroque

Date: 03.09.2026
Time: 19:00
Location: Dom Brixen

Ensemble Castor | Virtuos Baroque

Date: 04.09.2026
Time: 19:00
Location: Kurhauskirche Schärding

Ensemble Castor | Live im ORF: Alte Musik – neu interpretiert

Date: 09.09.2026
Time: 19:30 - 21:00
Location: RadioKulturhaus Wien

Ensemble Castor | Virtuos Baroque

Date: 03.09.2026
Time: 19:00
Location: Dom Brixen

Ensemble Castor | Virtuos Baroque

Date: 04.09.2026
Time: 19:00
Location: Kurhauskirche Schärding

Ensemble Castor | Live im ORF: Alte Musik – neu interpretiert

Date: 09.09.2026
Time: 19:30 - 21:00
Location: RadioKulturhaus Wien

Ensemble Castor | Vivaldi pur mit Alois Mühlbacher

Date: 03.10.2026
Time: 19:30 - 21:00
Location: Schloß Traun, Schönbergsaal

Discography

(Coming soon)