Banchini Chiara

Born in Lugano, Switzerland, Chiara Banchini is recognised as one of the world’s leading baroque violinists. She is today a foremost figure of her speciality and regular guest artist at the most prestigious festivals of early music.

After successful studies (special prize for Virtuosity) at the Conservatory of Geneva in the class of Corrado Romano, she continued her development with Sandor Wegh. She then dedicated herself for some years to the performance of contemporary music as a member of the ensemble Contrechamps.

Her encounter with Harnoncourt and Sigiswald Kuijken triggered a passion for the performance of the music of the 17th and 18th century on original instruments. 

Chiara Banchini has taught baroque violin at the Center for early Music in Geneva before being appointed as Professor for Baroque Violin at the Schola Cantorum in Basel. She also gives Master Classes throughout Europe as well as in South Africa, Australia , Bolivia, and the USA.

An important discography testifies of her musical activities, with, among others, recordings published by Erato, Accent, Astrée, Harmonia Mundi France and, since 2002, Zig-Zag Territoires.

In 1981, Chiara Banchini founded her own chamber orchestra: the Ensemble 415. Success was immediate so that now, the Ensemble 415 undertakes regular concert tours and has realised many exclusive recordings which have received such international critic acclaim that every new disc represents a musical event.

Chiara Banchini regularly conducts orchestras willing to familiarise themselves with the baroque and classical repertoire, such as the orchestras in Durban, Adelaide, Stockholm, Edinburgh, as well as several youth orchestras. 

On January 8th 2011, C.B.  organized a big last performance to say goodbye to the Ensemble 415 and to Schola cantorum so she could start with new projects.