San Francisco's Home for Great Concerts since 1970

Ives Quartet – November 3, 2013

Benjamin Britten String Quartet No. 3, Op. 94Giacomo Puccini I CristantemiGiuseppe Verdi String Quartet in E minorThe Ives Quartet has established a reputation for passion, precision, and provocative programming, winning accolades for playing that shows both super-refinement and visceral, rock-and-roll intensity. Inspired by the passionate, artistic commitment and unique temperament of American composer Charles Ives (1874–1954), the quartet has attracted critical enthusiasm for its “practice of reveling in the unfamiliar,” championing an eclectic repertoire that combines established masterworks with underappreciated gems, neglected scores of early-twentieth-century America, and specially commissioned new pieces. Beloved opera composers, Verdi, Puccini and Britten, also wrote a handful of gems for string quartet. Our program honors Brittens centennial and Verdis bicentennial with performances of Brittens last and Verdis single quartet, his only purely instrumental work. Puccinis elegiac movement is one of his rare contributions to quartet literature and the only one still in the repertory.

Old First Concerts has volunteer opportunities available!

Our concerts rely on the generosity of volunteers to assist with simple tasks like:

ushering

distributing programs

box office

set-up and clean-up

Scheduling is flexible — you choose when to work! We especially need helping hands for our Friday and Saturday night performances.

An excellent opportunity for students, seniors, or anyone who possesses a love for music!

If you’d like to consider volunteering with Old First Concerts, please contact curtishuth@oldfirstconcerts.org for more information.