By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Madison's Pro Arte Quartet to perform Sunday
Placeholder Image
MONROE - Madison's Pro Arte Quartet will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Monroe Arts Center's Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.

A reception for the artists will immediately follow the performance in the Frehner Gallery. This is the third and final performance in the 2012-2013 Sunday Concert Series.

The Pro Arte Quartet was founded in 1911-12 in Brussels by violinist Alphonse Onnou. Their world reputation blossomed in 1919 when the quartet began the first of many tours, which enticed notable composers such as Milhaud, Honeggger and Bartok to write new works for the ensemble.

The quartet made their American debut in 1926, performing at the inauguration of the Hall of Music in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Their first visit to Madison was in 1938. Following their concert on campus, the University of Wisconsin chancellor offered a permanent home to the quartet, making it the first such residency at a major American university. The Pro Arte became the faculty string quartet at University of Wisconsin-Madison in the late 1950s, an appointment that continues to the present day.

The Pro Arte performs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, has performed at the White House, and is the resident ensemble of the Chazen Museum of Art, for whom they perform a series of five live radio broadcasts per season. Their recording of Dvorak Quartets, Op. 34 and 51 was released in 2001, the first in a series of the entire quartets of Dvorak. Today, in addition to performances of standard classical repertoire, the Pro Arte continues its tradition of championing new music.

A yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Pro Arte Quartet took place during the 2011-2012 performing season. Newly commissioned works for the quartet, residencies, and special pre-concert lectures were all part of the anniversary season. The Pro Arte Quartet is comprised of David Perry (violin), Suzanne Beia (violin), Sally Chisholm (viola), and Parry Karp (violoncello).

General admission seat tickets for this concert are $10 for adults, and $5 for students 18 years of age and younger. Monroe Arts Center members may attend this concert for free. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or (888) 596-1249; in person at the box office, 1315 11th St.; or online at www.monroeartscenter.

This event has been underwritten by corporate underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and media underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting for this presentation has been provided by Lee and Chris Knuteson; Pete Guenther and Barb Woodriff; Dave and Janeen Babler; and Hans and Bobbie Bernet.