Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents Quartetto Gelato in “Exotic Flavors” December 5 and 6 • Historic Asolo Theater; Often called the Cirque du Soleil of classical music, Quartetto Gelato dazzles audiences with its high-energy performances, exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and humor

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents

Quartetto Gelato in “Exotic Flavors”

December 5 and 6 • Historic Asolo Theater

Often called the Cirque du Soleil of classical music, Quartetto Gelato dazzles audiences with its high-energy performances, exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and humor.

“Equal parts of musicianship, showmanship and what might be called “laughmanship” marked the lively quartet’s witty, wide-ranging program.” – Des Moines Register

“Quartetto Gelato’s performances have a warm, endearing vitality.” – New York Times

“Quartetto Gelato does it again, proving that they are indeed the Cirque du Soleil of classical music – always fresh, full of surprises, constantly re-inventing.” – Classical 96.3 FM

(Sarasota, Florida) Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota continues its 2015-16 Pops Series season with the celebrated Quartetto Gelato. Often called the Cirque du Soleil of classical music, Quartetto Gelato dazzles audiences with its high-energy performances, exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and humor. In “Exotic Flavors,” the group will present a rousing selection of blazing gypsy show pieces, Celtic reels and dances, Italian folk songs and more, December 5, 7:30 p.m. and December 6, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $40 and $45 and are available at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

Virtuosic showpieces, romantic tenor arias, pyrotechnical solos, multi-instrument mastery and a world accordion champion—this is Quartetto Gelato. Classic in training and eclectic by design, the ensemble has been delighting audiences for nearly two decades with its multi-instrument mastery and a performance repertoire that spans the musical globe with classical masterworks, operatic arias, sizzling tangos, and folk songs. The quartet established itself as a dominant force on the emerging “new classical” scene early in its career when it won the coveted NPR Performance Today’s “Debut Artist of the Year” award in 1996. The selection panel hailed 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.”

Quartetto Gelato consists of Peter DeSotto (tenor, violin, mandolin), Alexander Sevastian (accordion, piano, bandoneon), Liza McLellan (cello), Colin Maier (oboe), and Liza McElellan (cello).

Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 20^th-anniversary season includes six concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” five concerts in its “Pop Series,” four concerts in its “Special Performances” series, three “Soiree Series” concerts, three “Lunch, Look and Listen” concerts and three concerts in its North Port Performing Arts series. Many of the concerts are presented in multiple performances.

For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2015-2016 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.

The Remaining 2015-2016 Season at a Glance

Classical Recital Series

Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

• Les Amies: Carol Wincenc, a Grammy-nominated artist and one of the most ac­claimed flutists performing today, leads this winning trio, which includes harpist Nancy Allen and violist Cynthia Phelps. January 23, 7:30 p.m.; and January 24, 7:30 p.m.
• Akropolis Reed Quintet: Described by Fanfare Maga­zine as playing with “imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality,” the Akropolis Reed Quintet, (oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon and bass clarinet), is a cutting-edge ensemble that performs an innovative, living repertoire with acclaimed precision. February 20, 7:30 p.m., and February 21, 7:30 p.m.
• Trio Celeste: Violinist Iryna Krechkovsky, cellist Ross Gasworth, and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks combine to form an exciting, dynamic and intelligent ensemble. They are each strong instrumentalists in their own right and have what only the best groups have; an understanding of each other’s emotions, the ability to play with both power and subtlety, and what can best be described as a spark. March 5, 7:30 p.m., and March 6, 7:30 p.m.
• Amit Peled is an Israeli-American cellist and virtuoso called a “larger than life presence on stage” (The Washington Post). Peled, a musician of profound artistry and charismatic stage presence, is known as one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the concert stage today. At 6’5″ tall (he was once a basketball player), Peled often surprises audiences with the ways he breaks down barriers between performers and the public, making classical music more accessible to wider audiences. April 9, 7:30 p.m., and April 10, 7:30 p.m.
• 20th Year Retrospective Celebration: As a close to the 20th anniversary season, Artist Series Concerts is bringing back favorites from past years. The performers that Sarasota audiences have loved before will be here again to entertain, celebrate and inspire. May 28 and 29, 7:30 p.m.

Pop Series

At the Historic Asolo Theater; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

• Fred Moyer Jazz Trio: Fred Moyer on piano, Lowell Ringer on bass and Bob Savine on drums bring the sounds of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, Erroll Garner, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea to the concert stage. The three musicians infuse the music with their own vitality and interpretations, much the way a chamber music ensemble approaches Bach or Beethoven. January 9, 7:30 p.m., and January 10, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
• QuinTango, a touring quintet of two violins, cello, bass and piano, brings a century’s worth of tango repertoire to the concert stage with sizzling musicality and captivating narrative style. Winner of two consecutive WAMMIES, QuinTango is the only tango music group to have given a command performance at The White House. QuinTango has been heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” CNN, and network television in both the United States and Costa Rica. When QuinTango made its debut at Charleston’s Piccolo Festi­val, critic Robert Jones wrote exuberantly that “their concerts packed the place and sent the customers home tango crazy.” April 30, 7:30 p.m., and May 1, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
• “My Favorite Things,” Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein, featuring acclaimed soloists Mara Bonde, soprano, Katherine Pracht, mezzo soprano, Aaron Blake, tenor, Marcus DeLoach, baritone, and the Gloria Musicae Singers: May 7:30 p.m., and May 8, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Lunch, Look and Listen

One-hour concerts at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. At Michael’s On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

• Ann Alton, cello; Joyce Valentine, piano: January 21.
• Miami Guitar Trio: February 18.
• Gulfshore Trio: Reiko Niiya, violin; Susannah Kelly, cello; William Dawson, piano: March 17.

Soiree Series

Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. At the Weisenborne/Fischer residence. Call for address. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

• Bob McDonald singing songs made famous by Broadway leading man John Raitt: March 27 & 28.

Special Performances

• Axiom Brass and Gloria Musicae Singers in a holiday musical celebration. December 19, 7:30 p.m. and December 20 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. At the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets at 941-360-7399 or www.artistseriesconcerts.org.

North Port Performing Arts Center Series

Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. At the North Port Performing Arts Center, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port. Tickets at 941-306-1202.

• Miami Saxophone Quartet in “Four of a Kind.” Infectiously joyful arrangements, soulful improvisations, fine musical prowess and four of the finest saxophone players in the business in an afternoon of lively jazz, featuring “Sophisticated Lady,” “It’s a Raggy Waltz, “Lost and Found,” and much more: January 24.
• Dick Hyman in Concert. A solo performance by the legendary Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer, renowned for his 50-year career as one of America’s most prolific and versatile jazz musicians: February 21.
• “My Favorite Things: The Music of Rogers and Hammerstein.” Featuring the Qol Quartet, (Johanna Fincher, Robyn Rocklein, Adam Bielamowicz, and Christopher Holloway), and the Gloria Musicae Singers, directed by Joseph Holt: March 6.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was formed in 1996 as the Artist Series of Sarasota. The group is a non-profit corporation based in Sarasota, FL, that prides itself on presenting several major national and international varieties of concert, opera, orchestral, Broadway and film performances throughout their season. The majority of the performances are staged at the restored Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling.

Photos courtesy of the artists.