Chamberfest 2023 is now concluded. Look forward to next year for more great chamber music!
This spring and summer plan a trip to the Cheboygan Opera House for musical encounters with some of today’s most accomplished Classical performers! The historic and intimate setting of the Opera House is the perfect place to experience over two centuries of great music performed by these American and International artists – many of them performing for the first time in Northern Michigan. From Bach to Chopin, Gershwin to Caroline Shaw, there is much to enjoy and discover in these exciting programs!
Sponsorships by individuals and businesses help us keep our ticket prices accessible, and are an excellent way to demonstrate your support for the performing arts in Northern Michigan. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support this unique series, please click HERE to donate (add Chamberfest 2023 in the memo line), or call our office for more information at 231-627-5432.
Ariel String Quartet
Saturday, May 13 2023, 7:30pm
Formed when they were just teenagers growing up in Israel, the Ariel Quartet has been playing together for more than twenty years. Currently the Quartet serves as the Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. The Ariel String Quartet has always been fascinated by Beethoven’s quartets as they represent some of the most transcendent music ever written. They will be playing one of Beethoven’s early quartets from op. 18. The quartet no. 6 from this opus strongly hints of what is to follow in the middle and late periods of Beethoven’s string quartet output. The Quartet will conclude their program with the great Schubert Quartet No. 15, his last quartet before his early death at age 31.
Janice Carissa
Saturday, May 27 2023, 7:30pm
Indonesian pianist Janice Carissa has been highly praised for her impressive playing and her artistry has captivated audiences wherever she has performed. Recently, she has been named a 2022 Gilmore Young Artist. Janice’s program will include the Pathetique Sonata by Beethoven, the Liszt Spanish Rhapsody, the Prokofiev Sonata No. 8, and the very exciting late twentieth century piece entitled, “Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues.”
Clayton Stephenson
Sunday, June 4 2023, 7:30pm
Brooklyn born Clayton Stephenson, finalist in the 2022 Cliburn International Piano Competition and a 2022 Gilmore Young Artist , is considered one of the brightest rising stars in the world of the piano. He has been highly praised for his “youthful exuberant playing.” Clayton’s program will include Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata, Scriabin’s Sonata no. 4, and from George Gershwin, “Summertime” and “Rhapsody in Blue.”
https://cliburn.org/clayton-stephenson/
Hermitage Piano Trio
Saturday, June 24 2023, 7:30pm
Returning to the Opera House on June 24 will be the Hermitage Piano Trio, broadly praised by the Cheboygan audience for their performance here in 2022. The Trio takes its place among the world’s leading piano trios and according to the Washington Post, plays with “such power and passion that it left you nearly out of breath.” The Trio will be featuring as part of their program in Cheboygan, the massive and moving Trio élégiaque no. 2, completed in 1893 in memory of Tchaikovsky.
https://hermitagepianotrio.com/
Ivalas String Quartet
Saturday, July 1 2023, 7:30pm
One of America’s rising young string quartets, the Ivalas Quartet has been changing the face of classical music since their inception at the University of Michigan in 2017. Ivalas seeks to disrupt the classical music world by continuously spotlighting underrepresented composers. Currently, Ivalas is serving as the Graduate Resident String Quartet at the Juilliard School. Ivalas will present a program with a “space” connection, featuring works by Osvaldo Golijov and Eleanor Alberga, finishing with one of Beethoven’s late quartets, his opus 130.
https://www.ivalasquartet.com/
American String Quartet
Friday, July 7 2023, 7:30pm
Also returning to Cheboygan will be the American String Quartet who performed here in 2021. The American String Quartet has long been one of America’s leading string quartets. They are celebrating their 50th year as an ensemble. The American String Quartet will present a program including Beethoven’s last quartet, his opus 135, sometimes referred to as “It must be,” referring to a section of the middle movement that seems to ask the question and answer it, “Must it be?” Also on the program is Vivian Fung’s “Pizzicato for String Quartet”, Pulitzer-Prize winning contemporary composer, Caroline Shaw’s “Blueprint,” and finally ending with Ravel’s Quartet in F major.
https://www.americanstringquartet.com/
Daniel Adam Maltz
Sunday, July 16 2023, 3:00pm
Daniel Adam Maltz is a fortepianist based in Vienna, Austria. He will perform works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert on the fortepiano – the predecessor to the modern piano. Daniel made his Carnegie Hall (Weill) debut at age 22 and is a sought-after soloist, chamber musician, and clinician. Daniel studied historical performance at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the fortepiano from an expert, and to hear works performed on a period instrument.
https://www.danieladammaltz.com/
Cheng Squared Duo
Friday, July 28 2023, 7:30pm
The 2023 Chamberfest will conclude on July 28 with the appearance of the Cheng Squared Duo. The duo consists of Chinese-Canadian pianist Silvie Cheng and her brother, cellist Brian Cheng, the winner of the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Competition and 2021 Concours de Genève. The young duo has been celebrated for its musical integrity, undeniable chemistry and unparalleled communication with its audience. The Duo is in the vanguard of creative programming and is equally dedicated to presenting traditional masterworks as well as the music of our time.