FunFlavorful Classical
Quartetto Gelato brings spirited music, comedy to concert series
FunFlavorful by Mary Lancaster Independent Writer
Delivering a performance described as a lively concert containing a wide variety of music styles and plenty of comedic banter between the ensemble and audience, Quartetto Gelato is coming to the island stage on Sunday, April 13 to offer a late afternoon of pure enjoyment.

As the third in the Nantucket Arts Council winter series, the group entertains at 4 p.m. at The Coffin School on Winter Street, presenting a blend of instruments and pieces ranging from classical to jazz, operatic arias, tangos, gypsy and folk music. The group's name combines the concepts of music classics, represented in the word quartetto and the fun side of performing represented by the word gelato. Also, when the original quartet was founded, three of them were of Italian descent and they wanted an Italian moniker, explained Alexander Sevastian, who plays accordian, piano and bandoneon, an Argentinian instrument used in tango music.

"They take music seriously but they don't take themselves seriously. They like to make fun of each other," he said in a rich Russian accent during a phone interview from Canada, where the four live in Toronto.

The quartet formed 15 years ago when four friends, all professional musicians, were getting together to play the music they loved and have a good time. They began their joint career as Sunday entertainers at bed and breakfast inns, then signed on with The Ontario Contact, a conference of musicians from across Canada who auditioned for agents. Quartetto Gelato was immediately booked for 70 concerts and chosen by a well-established management company to assist their career.

Peter Desotto is the only original member of the quartet, who are all "over 30 and under 40," said Sevastian. Desotto is a tenor who plays violin and mandolin. Carina Reeves plays cello and Kornel Wolak plays clarinet. Their repertoire contains something for everyone, with pieces for the island concert including "Besame Mucho," a Mexican folk tune, "O Sole Mio," a signature Italian song, and "La Vie en Rose," a French cabaret love ballad.

"Quartetto Gelato is all about diversity in repertoire," said Sevastian, adding, "Each piece has its own introduction and we make the audience laugh all the time."

Sevastian said the quartet does not rely on music scores, instead making frequent eye contact and having communication with one another while performing, as well as doing the same with the audience.

"We play for people," he said. "Our message is just to make the audience happy."

Quartetto Gelato performs about 90 concerts a year across Canada and the United States, approximately

two a week, said Sevastian. I

Tickets are $20 for NAC members and $25 for non-members. Call 325-8588 to purchase tickets ahead of the concert or to see if they will be available at the door. Tickets are currently on sale at Bookworks, Dan's Pharmacy and Mitchell's Book Corner.