Quartetto Gelato (below) are a quartet with a difference. Not only have the Toronto-based foursome a wide-ranging repertoire - from classical tunes to operatic arias, traditional folk melodies, tangos and gypsy fiddling - the musical instruments they play are equally diverse, including the oboe, English horn, violin, cello, accordion, guitar, mandolin and a 'show-stopping tenor voice'. Described as 'the hottest classical band in Canada' by North American critics, the group - Cynthia Steljes, Peter De Sotto, Joseph Marcerollo and George Meanwell - have a knack of making classical music accessible through ingenious musical arrangements. 'Eclecticism is an inescapable part of Quartetto Gelato's approach,' the group say. 'In this we do not pretend [to be] something new, but rather [our music is] a renewal of a European tradition of bringing together the best of many idioms in a concert experience. Our repertoire might be described as a collection of music that, while travelling to different destinations, finds itself staying overnight in the same hotel.' Quartetto Gelato will give two performances in Hong Kong, and the programmes will include favourites such as Dark Eyes and Danny Boy as well as Chopin's Etude Op 25, No 7 and Four Bagatelles by Dvorak. Apr 15, 8pm. Sha Tin Town Hall. Apr 16, 8pm. Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Tickets $70-$150 from Urbtix, tel: 2734 9009.
