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Peter DeSotto - tenor, violin, mandolin
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. Their 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. The 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons featured over 175 concerts in recital and with orchestras throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. In addition, January 1, 2007 marked the debut broadcast of the group's first DVD on PBS stations throughout the U.S. - Quartetto Gelato: A Concert in Wine Country! 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. 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. Since that time, there have been several changes in members and Quartetto Gelato continues to be a a vibrant and exciting force in the classical musical world.
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