Critically Acclaimed New Classical Ensemble Quartetto Gelato Release 'Favourite Flavours' Collection And Embark On Major USA Tour

NEW YORK, NY (KOCH Records) - For over a decade, this dazzling ensemble has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with their exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and charismatic presence. Quartetto Gelato established themselves as dominant forces on the emerging "new classical" scene early in their career by winning the coveted title of NPR Performance Today's Debut Artist of the Year in 1996. Today, Quartetto Gelato continues its reign as an international sensation with repeat sold-out performances throughout the globe.

"Favourite Flavours," Quartetto Gelato's first 'Best Of' CD, is being released to meet the requests of fans for a single disc of their most popular repertoire. The disc includes highlights from their five CDs & one previously unreleased track, which serves as a sneak preview of their sixth album (music of Latin America). "Favourite Flavours" is scheduled for release in the US on November 8th in the US through Koch Records.

Classical in intent, eclectic by design, Quartetto Gelato not only thrills its audiences with the mastery of eight instruments, but also offers the wonderfully unexpected bonus of a brilliant operatic tenor. With a performance repertoire that travels imaginatively between classical masterworks, operatic arias and the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and folk songs, the group's relaxed stage presence and delightful humor establishes an immediate rapport with traditional and non-traditional classical audiences alike. without scores, their shows radiate a sense of spontaneity and excitement rarely seen on the classical stage.

"Light programming, like comedy, is serious business. Quartetto Gelato has the stuff. Dry humor and occasional clowning are part of the quartet's arsenal, yet first it meets the requisite of skilled music making. Its pleasure-giving is consistent." LA Times

Quartetto Gelato will be touring the US with dates in December 2005 through May 2006.

December 1 Wilmington DE Grand Opera House
December 2/3 Danville VA Theater opening with local choir
December 12 Nederland, TX Nederland High School
December 13 Naples FL Classic Chamber Concerts
December 15 Lafayette LA Lafayette Community Concerts

2006
January 19 Corpus Christi, TX Corpus Christi Live
January 21 Crockett, TX Crockett Civic Center
January 26 Coconut Creek, FL Wynmoor Recital Hall
January 28 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay PAC
March 12 Laval, QUE Laval Theatre
March 15 Mississauga, ONT Mississauga Living Arts Centre
March 16 Belleville, ONT The Empire Theatre
March 17 Hartford, CT Asylum Congretional Church
March 24 Orangeville, ONT Orangeville Opera House
March 25 Camden, NJ Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts
March 29 Caldwell, ID Caldwell Fine Arts Series
March 31 Sandpoint, ID Panida Theater
April 2 Wilmington, NC Thalian Hall
April 6 Victoria, BC Alix Gooden Theatre
April 7 Nanaimo, BC Port Theatre
April 8 Vancouver, BC Chan Centre