Enso String Quartet during their tour of New Zealand in 2012. Left: Richard Belcher, cello; Melissa Reardon, viola; John Marcus, violin (will be replaced by Ken Hamao); and Maureen Nelson, violin.
Following a successful New Zealand tour in 2012, the Enso String Quartet - violinists Maureen Nelson and Ken Hamao, violist Melissa Reardon and cellist Richard Belcher - returns to New Zealand for a 10-centre nationwide tour this month.
Established at Yale University in 1999, the Enso String Quartet is regarded
as one of the United States' most accomplished and inventive young ensembles.
Described by Strad magazine as "thrilling" and praised by the Washington Post for its "glorious sonorities", the quartet received a Grammy nomination for the recording of the Ginastera quintets.
Two exciting programmes are being presented on the New Zealand tour, with a mix of old and new, including works by Dutilleux and Ginastera - two composers who would have celebrated their 100th birthdays this year.
The Napier concert will be in the Century Theatre at 8pm on May 24. A highlight will be the performance of Auckland-based composer Alex Taylor. A pre-concert talk is at 7pm. Tickets are $28 to $72, from Ticketek, phone 0800 842 538.
