The Caput Ensemble was founded in 1987 by a young group of Icelandic musicians, beginning life as a small chamber group which has since grown to a sinfonietta of 18 players. The size of Caput has always been flexible, allowing each member to stand out as a solo performer as well as performing in a variety of ensembles such as duos, trios, quartets, octets etc.

The sole purpose of the ensemble is the performance and recording of new music; Caput has premiered countless works by Icelandic and international composers. The ensemble is open to nearly any style or trend in new music, and the long list of composers that have worked with the ensemble demonstrates the immense diversity in late 20th and early 21st Century music.

The early days of Caput were spent in Iceland, but since 1992 the ensemble has given numerous concerts abroad. Now Caput has performed in 15 European countries, as well as in America and Japan. Festival and concert appearances include the Warsaw Autumn Festival; The Gulbenkian Festival in Lisbon; Holland Festival; Prague Marathon; The International New Music Week, Bucharest; New Concert Series, Toronto; Santa Cecilia, Rome; and at the Wigmore Hall, London.

Caput organizes its own concerts in Iceland, as well as taking part in national festivals such as the Dark Music Days and Reykjavík Arts Festival. Caput has established itself as a force in Icelandic cultural life and as one of the leading new music ensembles in Nordic countries. The group is widely acclaimed for its powerful interpretations and technical proficiency.