Just one year shy of a major milestone, Chanticleer String Quartet is continuing to offer free performances in new and traditional locations.
It’s time for the Richmond-based ensemble’s 49th annual Summer Festival, which draws performers from around the country.
The quartet and its guest artist, saxophonist Paul Klemperer, will play eight concerts in 12 days around Wayne County, downtown Indianapolis and in two other cities.
Their program includes music made famous by Duke Ellington, Ludwig von Beethoven, George Gershwin and Edith Piaf.
The quartet starts its tour Wednesday, July 23, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County’s Jeffers Unit in Richmond.
A new venue is Centerville’s log cabin courthouse near the Mansion House, 214 E. Main St. That concert will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, and will take place inside or outside, depending on weather and where the performers are more comfortable. Donations will be accepted for Historic Centerville.
Musicians return to Richmond for their final three concerts. They’ll perform at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. Sixth St.
Two concerts are set for Sunday, Aug. 3, at 10:30 a.m. in Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester Blvd., followed by a 3:30 p.m. performance at Chanticleer Farm, 944 Woods Road, about 2 miles south of town off U.S. 27. The farm’s rain location is St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 800 N. A St.
Regional concerts include 7 p.m. July 24, Honeywell House, Wabash; 10:30 a.m. July 25, Timbercrest Community, North Manchester; and 12:15 p.m. July 29, Arts Garden, Indianapolis.
Concerts are made possible through local donations and support from the National Endowment for the Arts and Indiana Arts Commission.
Violinist Caroline Klemperer Green organizes the quartet’s concerts each year in addition to teaching, leading children’s programs, and performing locally and in New York City.
She invited her cousin, Paul Klemperer, who is based in Austin, Texas, to return as this year’s guest artist. He plays a mix of jazz, blues, American popular and world music and tours nationally and internationally as a performer and bandleader.
The quartet’s longtime string players also return.
Violist Jennifer Smith joined Chanticleer in 1991. She began performing and teaching in Montana after doctoral studies at Cleveland Institute of Music.
Elizabeth Gottling Mendoza and Stefan Xhori both come from Pennsylvania.
Mendoza formerly was principal cellist of Richmond Symphony Orchestra, where she met Caroline Klemperer. She joined Chanticleer in 1995.
Xhori, an Albanian native, moved to the United States in 1993 and began playing violin in many orchestras and chamber groups in the Philadelphia area. He joined Chanticleer in 2014.
For additional information, visit chanticleerquartet.com or call 917-991-2906.
Podcast conversation
Hear or read a podcast transcript of Western Wayne News’ conversation with local musician Caroline Klemperer Green at WesternWayneNews.com/podcasts/
A version of this article appeared in the July 16 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.