The DaPonte String Quartet — which has appeared on stages in France, Scotland, Canada and extensively throughout the U.S., and has been featured on “CBS Sunday Morning” — will perform an evening concert at the University of Maine at Presque on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Wieden Hall auditorium. This event is free and the public is invited to attend.
Based in mid-coast Maine, the members of the DaPonte String Quartet (DSQ) include Ferdinand “Dino” Liva and Lydia Forbes on violin, Myles Jordan on cello and Kirsten Monke on viola.
Not long after forming in Philadelphia 21 years ago, the DSQ surprised the musical world by moving from a cosmopolitan urban area to rural Maine. Nonetheless, the DSQ continues to be sought after to perform and teach all over the U.S. and around the world. Their performances have been broadcast over nationwide radio and television programs in the U.S. and Canada. They have received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Philadelphia Musical Fund Society, the Music Teachers National Association, Chamber Music America, and they have participated in several of the nation’s most prestigious concert series to rave reviews.
When “CBS Sunday Morning” nationally televised a profile of the group, the idea of living outside a major urban center suddenly appeared to be an appealing alternative lifestyle few musicians had considered. Few string quartets can boast such a devoted following. The people of Maine warmly embraced the DSQ, which has become an integral part of the state’s musical life. When the quartet debuted at Carnegie Hall, a large contingent of their fans traveled to New York to hear and cheer them there. The state’s embrace of the DSQ has also taken the form of awards from the Maine Arts Commission.
This support enables the DSQ to perform a wide-ranging and varied repertoire. While many classical musicians struggling with the realities of the contemporary musical marketplace find themselves performing exclusively new compositions, the group’s repertoire spans the entire history of music, from 17th-century works on original instruments to cutting-edge contemporary quartets, like the one written for them by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Del Tredici. The DSQ is also known for their inventive interpretations of the works they play.
The DaPonte String Quartet is now celebrating its 21st anniversary and its members are still proud to call Maine home.
Donations will be accepted at the door to assist with future cultural events performances. For more information about the concert, call 768-9452 or email info@umpi.edu.
Photo courtesy of UMPI
The DaPonte String will perform an evening concert at the University of Maine at Presque on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Wieden Hall auditorium. This event is free and the public is invited to attend. Pictured from left are: Kirsten Monke, Myles Jordan, Ferdinand “Dino” Liva and Lydia Forbes.
