One of Australia’s most acclaimed actors, John Bell, will be joining the Tinalley String Quartet, for the second concert from the quartet’s 2016 program.
The Tinalley String Quartet consists of violinists Adam Chalabi and Lerida Delbridge, violist Justin Williams, and cellist Michelle Wood, and has established itself as one of the finest string quarters of its generation, performing to audiences across the world.
Blending the letters and memoirs of Beethoven with movements from his Opus 18, 74, 131, 132, and 135, and a performance of Mendelssohn’s Opus 13 in minor, Speak Less Than You Know offers an exploration into the mind of a composer that to many remains something of an enigma.
“It’s fitting that we pair Mendelssohn’s much loved Opus 13 with this broad cross section of excerpts from Beethoven’s catalogue of quartets, as Mendelssohn adored these works and drew much inspiration from them. Opus 13 is a truly wonderful work, full of passion and reflection, it’s inspired by love,” says Williams. “This quartet holds a special place in Tinalley’s heart as it was the subject of great devotion and exploration during our formative years.”
Written only a few months after Beethoven’s death, Mendelssohn’s Opus 13 is inspired by the impact the older composer and his work had on the then eighteen year old Mendelssohn.
Bell Shakespeare Company founder and Australian National Living Treasure John Bell will take on the role originally performed in 2011 by John Stanton, reading Beethoven’s letters and memoirs. The famous “immortal beloved” letter will feature in the performance; undated and unaddressed, the recipient of this passionate love letter still remains a mystery.
Tinalley String Quartet’s Speak Less Than You Know, featuring special guest actor John Bell, will be performed at the Sydney Opera House for two nights only, on September 26th and 27th. For more information, including tickets, please see the Sydney Opera House website.
A Melbourne date is also scheduled, taking place on October 4th at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Please see the Melbourne Recital Centre website for details.
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