The Northern Lights Festival kicks off on Sunday, February 12 at the Auditorio de la Ribera with a dynamic, not-to-be-missed concert by Quartetto Gelato.
Virtuosic showpieces, romantic tenor arias, pyrotechnical solos, blazing gypsy show pieces, multi-instrument mastery and a World Accordion champion – this is Quartetto Gelato.
For 25 years, this ensemble has enchanted audiences and critics with their exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and humor. Classical in training – eclectic by design – Quartetto Gelato not only thrills its audiences with its multi-instrument mastery, but also offers the bonus of a brilliant operatic tenor. With a performance repertoire that spans the globe including classical masterworks, operatic arias, the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and folk songs, the group’s theatrical stage presence and relaxed humor establishes an intimate rapport with audiences worldwide.
Quartetto Gelato established themselves as dominant forces on the music scene early in their career by winning the coveted title of NPR Performance Today’s Debut Artist of the Year. The selection panel concluded that the quartet was “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.”
In 2007, the group’s first DVD, “Quartetto Gelato: A Concert in Wine Country,” was picked up by PBS for broadcast throughout the United States. Most recently, the group won the honor of Best Classical Ensemble at Canada’s 2010 INDIE awards.
Quartetto Gelato is regularly heard on CBC, Classical 96.3 FM, NPR, PRI, and NUR networks and in over 20 countries. Their Concert in Wine Country DVD is seen regularly on PBS. Their eight CDs have sold over 150,000 copies to date and they have been featured on the Hollywood soundtrack “Only You.”
A truly unique feature of Quartetto Gelato is the playing of an accordion by one of four members. When most people hear the word “accordion” visions of Polka dances and French cafes come to mind. The Northern Lights Festival will show another side of the accordion, one that is not often seen. The accordion can be, in the right hands, as profound and beautiful of a musical voice as any of the major instruments.
Alexander Sevastian is indeed one of the world’s most respected accordion virtuosos. He is a winner of the prestigious Coupe Mondiale International Accordion Competition in 2007 in Washington DC, as well as three other major international competitions.
Individual ticket sales are now available Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Nueva Posada Hotel and Restaurant, Donata Guerra 9, Ajijic. For information on ticket sales email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Maureen Welch at (376) 108-1407 between 2 and 4 p.m. Festival tickets cost 400 pesos for side seats, 500 pesos in the center.