Rastatter Hofkapelle

The Rastatter Hofkapelle was formed along the lines of the original court orchestra and is made up of eight solo singers plus instrumentalists. The aim of the ensemble is to perform the sacred music of the former court music directors in Rastatt and the works of other Baroque composers, observing historical performance practice. More exact information concerning the makeup of the court orchestra is to be found in a court calendar of 1764. According to this source, it consisted of the music director, the concert master, an organist, seven singers and 19 instrumentalists, as well as four trumpeters and a timpanist. All of the members of the Rastatter Hofkapelle are active both as soloists and as members of distinguished professional ensembles concerned with the interpretation of early music.