For over a decade, this dazzling ensemble has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with their exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and charismatic presence. Quartetto Gelato established themselves as dominant forces on the emerging "new classical" scene early in their career by winning the coveted title of NPR Performance Today's Debut Artist of the Year in 1996. Today, Quartetto Gelato continues its reign as an international sensation with repeat sold-out performances throughout the globe.
Classical in intent, eclectic by design, Quartetto Gelato not only thrills its audiences with the mastery of six instruments, but offers the wonderfully unexpected bonus of a brilliant operatic tenor. With a performance repertoire that travels imaginatively between classical masterworks, operatic arias and the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and folk songs, the group's relaxed stage presence and delightful humor establishes an immediate rapport with traditional and non-traditional classical audiences alike. Performed without scores, their shows radiate a sense of spontaneity and excitement rarely seen on the classical stage.
The 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons featured over 175 concerts in recital and with orchestras throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. In November 2005, the quartet returned to Sweden for a 14 concert tour and toured Estonia for the first time, performing 3 sold-out concerts. In addition, January 1, 2007 marked the debut broadcast of the group's first DVD on PBS stations throughout the U.S. Filmed in High Definition, it is entitled Quartetto Gelato: A Concert in Wine Country! In March 2007 it will be released commercially to the general public.
Active in the recording studio, the quartet's first compilation CD was released on November 9th, 2005. Favourite Flavours, features highlights drawn from the 5 CDs in the catalogue with "Besame Mucho", a special gem from their newest concert program Latin America: Hot and Cool.Previously Quartetto Gelato released Quartetto Gelato Travels the Orient Express celebrating the original journey of the famous train and featuring music from London to Istanbul. Since the release in spring of 2004, the recording has met with extensive critical and public acclaim. The previous recordings, which have played a significant role in the group's increasing popularity, are Neapolitan Café, Aria Fresca, Rustic Chivalry and their debut recording, simply entitled Quartetto Gelato. The latter two CDs have literally been heard around the world, since they accompanied Canadian astronaut, Dr. Robert Thirsk, during his NASA flight on board the space shuttle Columbia in 1997. (Click on image to see larger view.)
Quartetto Gelato has also graced the tracks of the Hollywood film industry. The group was featured on the soundtrack recording of the major motion picture Only You, starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr., on the Sony label. In 2005, the quartet was featured on the soundtrack of the Canadian independent film release, Looking for Angelina. Additionally, they have been featured as guest artists on the hit CD recording of Cape Breton fiddler, Ashley McIsaak.
Classical radio listeners across the continent know Quartetto Gelato by their instantly recognizable sound, which is broadcast frequently on the CBC, PRI and NPR networks. In particular, the band has been featured regularly on NPR's popular Performance Today program, which recognized Quartetto Gelato in 1996 by presenting them with their award for "Debut Artist of the Year." The panel of music critics who made that selection characterized the quartet as “an amazing ensemble that achieves the nearly impossible: they play salon music with real style and classical music with real precision; Great chops and a commitment in all that they play.”
The summer of 2005 saw two major achievements. The first was the world debut at the Stratford Festival of their new program for young adults Love You Forever which featured the narration by author Robert Munsch. This 12-minute commissioned piece set to music the now-famous children's classic with music composed by Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich. The piece brought a combination of tears and ovations as the final note wafted over the audience. The second piece, entitled 4X4, introduced a new collaborative program with Quartetto Gelato combining forces with a guest string quartet. Both programs were recorded for CBC Radio and are currently available as program options.
Unfortunately, 2006 finished off on a sad note for both the quartet and fans alike. In spite of a valiant attempt at overcoming a form of rare cancer, oboist and founding member of Quartetto Gelato Cynthia Steljes lost her battle with malignant Mesothelioma in late December 2006. Cynthia was a special soul whose contributions to the arts and to the lives of all who knew her were too many to count. She will be missed by all and words cannot begin to describe the blessing that we feel to have had her in our lives - no matter how briefly.
Ironically, even in her final days, Cynthia made certain that Quartetto Gelato would go on and continue to soar! True to Cynthia's reputation for her attention to detail, when she was diagnosed with the cancer, Cynthia actually hand picked her own substitute/successor: virtuoso clarinetist Shalom Bard. Shalom remains true to the high standards demanded by Quartetto Gelato of its members. He has the artistry and the chemistry that Cynthia felt was essential in order to maintain the group's special "sparkle" on stage and on its recordings. As Cynthia began her treatments, Shalom performed several concerts with Quartetto Gelato and the feedback was stellar! Peter De Sotto (who is the violinist and vocalist for Quartetto Gelato and also of course Cynthia's husband) made a steadfast promise to his beloved Cynthia that he would continue to enthusiastically tour the group in her honor and that all involved with this wonderful quartet will continue to nurture this "artistic garden" that she was planting so that it comes to full bloom.
In addition to the cast adjustment, right up to her final days, Cynthia was setting into motion some exciting new opportunities for the group which we will be able to unveil shortly.
As Quartetto Gelato looks forward toward 2007 and beyond, they look back at Cynthia's impact on this industry with tremendous awe and a special respect. Strength and determination such as that displayed by Cynthia Steljes gives us all a moment to reflect on the greatness that has touched our lives and that beckons us forward into the new realms of possibility and determination. Cynthia was about joy and light and "sweet toughness" and it is to that memory that Quartetto Gelato will be dedicating this next season. With joy and pride, they invite you all to watch Quartetto Gelato's PBS special (featuring Cynthia Steljes at her most buoyant) and to revel in the wonderful artistry and energy of this amazing woman!
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Date |
City |
Venue |
October 5, 2007 |
Ramona, CA, USA |
Charles Nunn Performing Arts Center |
October 9, 2007 |
Corvalis, OR, USA |
Lasells Stewart Center (OSU) |
October 12, 2007 |
San Fransico, CA, USA |
San Fransico Concerts Opening Gala |
October 19, 2007 |
Perth, ON, CAN |
TBA |
October 25, 2007 |
Duluth, MN, USA |
Weber Music Hall |
October 27, 2007 |
Lexington, MI, USA |
Lexington Music Theatre |
November 16, 2007 |
Willow Street, PA, USA |
Willow Valley |
November 17, 2007 |
Wolfeboro, NH, USA |
Anderson Hall - Brewster Adacemy |
November 24, 2007 |
Sault Ste Marie, ON, CAN |
Cantral United Church |
November 30, 2007 |
New London, CT, USA |
John C. Evans Hall |
December 1, 2007 |
Madisonville, KY, USA |
TBA |
December 10, 2007 |
Kelowna, BC, CAN |
Kelowna Community Centre |
December 11, 2007 |
Pentiction, BC, CAN |
Pentiction High Auditorium |
December 12, 2007 |
Abbotsford, BC, CAN |
Matsqui Centennial Auditorium |
December 15, 2007 |
Ottawa, ON, CAN |
TBA |
January 10-12, 2008 |
Charleston, WV, USA |
Charleston Symphony |
January 20, 2008 |
Victorville, CA, USA |
Silverado High School |
January 22, 2008 |
San Diego, CA, USA |
Bernardo Concerts Association |
January 26,27, 2008 |
Lancaster, CA, USA |
Lancaster Performing Arts Center |
February 2, 2008 |
Bremerton, WA, USA |
Admiral Theatre |
February 5, 2008 |
Ridgecrest, CA, USA |
Indian Wells Valley Concert Association |
February 7, 2008 |
Coconut Creek, FL, USA |
TBA |
February 17, 2008 |
Port Hope, ON, CAN |
Friends of Music |
February 18, 2008 |
Naples, FL, USA |
Classic Chamber Concerts |
March 2, 2008 |
Washington, DC, USA |
National Academies |
March 12, 2008 |
Laguna Woods, CA, USA |
TBA |
April 5, 2008 |
New Braunfels, TX, USA |
TBA |
April 11, 2008 |
Fitchburg, MA, USA |
Weston Auditorium |
April 18,19, 2008 |
Quebec City, QB, CAN |
Quebec Symphony |
April 20, 2008 |
Sherbrooke, QB, CAN |
TBA |
April 26, 2008 |
Binghamton, NY, USA |
Anderson Center |
April 29, 2008 |
Brantford, ON, CAN |
Brantford Music Club |
May 9, 2008 |
Oneonta, NY, USA |
Oneonta Concert Association |
May 10, 2008 |
Fairfield, CT, USA |
Fairfield University |
August 6, 2008 |
Hilton Beach, ON, CAN |
TBA |
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