The residency continues...

Quartetto Gelato's Wednesday afternoon featured a program for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) members, and anyone else who could fit into the Meese Auditorium at the SOU Art Building. The program went very well, and was marred for me only when an angry man tried to run me over in his car as I saved a parking spot for QG! OLLI members rewarded QG with a well-deserved standing ovation. The group was alternately charming and hilarious, and even the dry, dead acoustics of the auditorium couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the performers or audience.

Today the group presented a lecture for SOU business majors in the afternoon. After playing a few numbers, QG talked about the business aspects of their ensemble — the importance of having a "hook," distinguishing the group's product from that of others, reinventing their image, dealing with agents and presenters, the decline of CDs and the embrace of downloaded music (both legal and illegal!), and how they manage the logistics of their constant touring. After the lecture, the business students were treated to a reception with an abundance of Italian food in QG's honor.

Photos to come...