Quartetto Gelato is a Canadian classical crossover quartet with current members Peter DeSotto, Kirk Starkey, Charles Cozens and Colin Maier, and based in Toronto, Ontario. Their musical repertoire consists of a mix of classical masterworks and operatic arias with tangos, gypsy and folk songs from around the world. They usually play without musical scores and their performances include elements of humour and dance.
Video Quartetto Gelato
History
Quartetto Gelato was originally formed in 1989 in Toronto; the founding members were Cynthia Steljes, her husband Peter De Sotto, George Meanwell and Claudio Vena. They began performing as part of the emerging "new classical" scene, and in 1996 the group was named NPR Performance Today's Debut Artist of the Year.
Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk took their first two CDs with him during his NASA flight on board the space shuttle Columbia in 1997. By 2007, the ensemble had recorded six albums of music and had sold 150,000 CDs.
Quartetto Gelato has changed members over the years. Cynthia Steljes left the group because of ill health and died in 2006. Oboist and multi-instrumentalist Colin Maier joined in 2009, and cellist Liza McLellan joined at about that same time. Alexander Sevastian died suddenly while on tour with the ensemble in Ajijic, Mexico on Friday, February 16, 2018 . Cellist Kirk Starkey, and accordionist Charles Cozens joined in May 2018.
Quartetto Gelato performs in Canada and internationally, in recital, as soloists with orchestra, and as guests at classical and crossover concerts.
Maps Quartetto Gelato
Awards and nominations
In 1995 Quartetto Gelato was nominated for a Juno Award as Instrumental Artist(s) of the Year; their album Quartetto Gelato was nominated for "Best Classical Album by a Solo or Chamber Ensemble". In 1996 the group was named "Debut Artist of the Year" by NPR Performance Today. In 1999, Quartetto Gelato's La Danza was received two nominations at the Gemini Awards: "Best Photography in a Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts Program or Series", and "Best Editing in a Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts Program or Series".
In 2005, the show Canada Day 2004: Merci Montréal, in which the group participated, was nominated for "Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series'" at the Gemini Awards. Also, in 2010 Quartetto Gelato was named "Best Classical Group" at the Independent Music Awards during Canadian Music Week.
Current members
- Peter DeSotto -- tenor, violin, mandolin
- Charles Cozens -- accordion
- Kirk Starkey -- cello
- Colin Maier -- oboe, clarinet, English horn, guitar, mandolin, piano, musical saw
Former Musicians
- Cynthia Steljes (deceased) -- oboe, English horn
- Kristina Reiko Cooper -- cello
- Elinor Frey -- cello
- Lydia Munchinsky -- cello
- Joseph Macerollo -- accordion
- George Meanwell -- guitar, cello, mandolin
- Claudio Vena -- accordion, viola
- Shalom Bard -- clarinet
- Carina Reeves -- cello
- Kornel Wolak -- clarinet
- Alexander Sevastian (deceased) -- accordian, piano
- Liza McLellan -- cello and bass
Discography
Albums
- Quartetto Gelato (1993)
- Rustic Chivalry (1996)
- Aria Fresca (1998)
- Neapolitan Café (2001)
- Quartetto Gelato Travels the Orient Express (2004)
- Musica Latina (2009)
- The Magic of Christmas (Quartetto Gelato album)|The Magic of Christmas (2010)
- All Original - 100% Canadian (2015)
Compilations
- Favourite Flavours (2005)
Guest appearances
- Only You: Music From The Motion Picture (1994)
- Ashley MacIsaac, Hi, How Are You Today? (1995)
Videography
- Quartetto Gelato - La Danza (Music Video) (1998)
- CBC's Canada Day 2004: Merci Montreal! (2004)
- Quartetto Gelato Explores Music and Wine DVD (2006)
- Romanian Caravan (2010)
- Border Crossing (2012)
- Liza's Dream (2016)
References
External links
- Quartetto Gelato's Official Website
- Alexander Sevastian Memorial Fund
- Maple Music Site for the group
- Linus Entertainment's Site
- Review of Quartetto's latest compilation
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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