Jan. 15, 2024

Contact Mary Ellen Haupert at 608-796-3770 or mehaupert@viterbo.edu

ARTARIA STRING QUARTET TO PERFORM “THE MOZART CYCLE” AT VITERBO UNIVERSITY JAN. 25–26

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Out of Our Minds Chamber Music Series will feature the acclaimed Artaria String Quartet’s performance of “The Mozart Cycle: String Quartets Dedicated to Joseph Hayden” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 in the Fine Arts Center Nola Starling Recital Hall.

The six Mozart quartets will be performed in two parts. The overall set contains some of Mozart’s most famous works, such as the ‘Hunt’ Quartet, K.458, and the ‘Dissonance’, K.465, and embrace some of his most memorable melodic writing and refined compositional thinking. Mozart wrote the quartets from 1782-1785 with the intention of dedicating them to his closest friend and mentor, Joseph Haydn, who at the time was known as the greatest living composer of the string quartet.

The Artaria String Quartet is now in its 39th year and its 32nd year of performances at Viterbo University. A warm, rich sound is the hallmark of the ensemble, which has served as MPR Artists-in-Residence and was featured on Twin Cities Public Television as part of the MN-Original Television series. Recipient of a highly coveted McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians, Artaria is firmly rooted in the great traditions of chamber music and is a staunch

advocate of contemporary composers, premiering a wide range of new and commissioned works, supporting students and composers of diversity, and contributing toward the healing of past wounds allowing all to thrive. The Artaria String Quartet consists of Rebecca Merblum, cello, Nancy Oliveros, violin, Ray Shows, violin, and Annalee Wolf, viola.

The concerts are free and open to the public. A free will offering will be collected during intermission.

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