Quartetto Gelato will take the stage of Rosch Recital Hall as part of the School of Music's 2014-2015 season of Special Events on Friday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m.The internationally known ensemble鈥檚 performances encompass classical master works, operatic arias, pyrotechnical solos, multi-instrument mastery, the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and folk songs, acrobatics and more into one classical, yet eclectic, act.
For nearly two decades, Quartetto Gelato has entertained audiences and critics worldwide with its blend of musical virtuosity, artistry and humor. Its members have carved out a global audience as a non-traditional ensemble featuring combinations of tenor voice, violin, Celtic fiddle, cello, bass, accordion, oboe, English horn, clarinet, bass clarinet and guitar.
"Quartetto Gelato is going where few classical musicians go, not only with the exciting theatrical nature of their performances that engage all types of music lovers, but with the relaxed humorous relationship they make with the audience," said Dr. Sarah Hamilton, oboe professor and residency coordinator for Quartetto Gelato's visit to campus.
"While at Fredonia, they will be working with student musicians exploring this art of performance and giving a talk on how artists can make a living even while creating their own niche."
Quartetto Gelato established itself as a dominant force on the music scene early on by winning the coveted title of NPR Performance Today鈥檚 Debut Artist of the Year in 1996. In 2007, the group鈥檚 first DVD, 鈥淨uartetto Gelato: A Concert in Wine Country!鈥 was picked up by PBS throughout the U.S. for broadcast. Most recently, Quartetto Gelato won the honor of Best Classical Ensemble at Canada's 2010 Independent Music Awards.
Quartetto Gelato is regularly heard on CBC, Classical 96.3 FM, NPR, PRI and NUR networks and has been featured on the Hollywood movie soundtrack for, 鈥淥nly You.鈥 The group鈥檚 鈥淨uartetto Gelato: A Concert in Wine Country!鈥 DVD is seen regularly on PBS, and its eight CDs have sold over 150,000 units to date.
Always active in the recording studio, the quartet recorded its eighth CD, 鈥淭he Magic of Christmas,鈥 in 2010, featuring Christmas favorites with a twist of Gelato. Previous recordings are "Musica Latina,鈥 鈥淨uartetto Gelato Travels the Orient Express,鈥 鈥淣eapolitan Caf茅,鈥 鈥淎ria Fresca,鈥 鈥淩ustic Chivalry鈥 and the group鈥檚 debut recording, simply entitled 鈥淨uartetto Gelato.鈥 The latter two CDs have been heard around the world, as they accompanied Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk during his NASA flight on board the space shuttle Columbia.
Quartetto Gelato鈥檚 performance in Rosch is supported by the Fredonia School of Music, College of Visual and Performing Arts, American String Teachers Association student chapter, Fredonia Woodwind Association, Fredonia鈥檚 International Education Center and the Music Industry Club.
Reserved seating tickets are $20 and $8 for students with ID. Tickets are available at the ticket office by calling 716-673-3501, online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets or in person at the ticket office in the Williams Center.
The ensemble will be giving a talk on entrepreneurship and their experiences marketing a unique ensemble on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 2:30 p.m. in Mason Hall Room 1075.The talk is free and open to all students and the public. The group will also be giving woodwind, string and voice master classes starting at 7:30 p.m. on the same day. For more information, contact Dr. Sarah Hamilton at Hamilton@fredonia.edu.
