Ensō String Quartet Returns To Australian Shores

Esteemed US-based string ensemble Ensō String Quartet will undertake its debut Australian tour for Musica Viva this May.

The quartet (consisting of violinists Maureen Nelson and Ken Hamao, violist Melissa Reardon and cellist Richard Belcher) was last in Australia for the Huntington Estate Music Festival in 2012. This year's visit will be much more extensive, as they grace concert halls across Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle, Hobart, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide.

Founded at Yale University in 1999, Ensō String Quartet has been described as "thrilling" (The Strad), "one of the eminent string quartets of our era" (Classical Voice), and praised for its "glorious sonorities" (The Washington Post). The group boasts roots from all corners of the globe — Belcher is from New Zealand, Hamao is Japanese-American, Nelson is half Korean and Reardon is half Filipino.

Their Australian performances will feature an interesting selection of classic works, including Beethoven's 'Harp' Quartet, Op. 74, Turina's Serenata for String Quartet, Op. 87, Ginastera's String Quartet No. 2 and music from the Renaissance Era.

Visit their website for further details, and see the list of national tour dates below.

• Monday, 30 May — City Recital Hall, Sydney (Ken Tribe Tribute Concert)
• Wednesday, 1 June — Conservatorium Theatre, South Brisbane
• Thursday, 2 June — Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Newcastle
• Saturday, 4 June — City Recital Hall, Sydney
• Monday, 6 June — Hobart Town Hall
• Tuesday, 7 June — Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne
• Thursday, 9 June — Llewellyn Hall, Canberra
• Monday, 13 June — Perth Concert Hall, Perth
• Thursday, 16 June — Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide
• Saturday, 18 June — Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne