A new guest pianist joins Chanticleer String Quartet for its 48th annual free summer music festival.
Quartet founder Caroline Klemperer of Richmond says Darius Frowner is an accomplished director, instructor and performer in New York City.
He’ll make his local debut with Klemperer and returning members Jennifer Smith of Montana and Elizabeth Gottling Mendoza and Stefan Xhori of Pennsylvania.
Xhori, who joined in 2014, is the quartet’s newest member. Mendoza joined in 1995 when she played in Richmond Symphony Orchestra with Klemperer. Smith, who joined in 1991, also attended Peabody Conservatory where Klemperer studied.
Frowner has collaborated with and accompanied many Broadway artists including Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter and Norm Lewis. He also music directs for national tours and regional productions of Broadway shows such as “Oklahoma,” “Hairspray” and “Ain’t Misbehavin.’”
Frowner teaches and coaches seasoned professionals and young performers and has been affiliated with programs such as New York University and Tisch School for the Arts.
Last year, Frowner accompanied tenor Christian Mark Gibbs at Carnegie Hall. Other notable projects include one program at the White House and another with musical theater composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz.
Chanticleer String Quartet has four remaining concerts in Wayne County that conclude Aug. 4 at Klemperer’s farm.
Klemperer said Frowner’s arrangement of “Odyssey of the Seasons” will be “amazing and unique.”
“He’ll be improvising all over the piano, bringing audience members up to sing, we’ll be playing hand instruments, I’ll read a few bits of poetry to go along with the seasons spring and summer,” Klemperer said. “It’s going to be such fun!”
The quartet will play two tangos (“Oblivion” by Astor Piazzolla and “Por Una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardel), a medley of Duke Ellington’s jazz hits, and Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 77 #1.
Chanticleer’s tour began with a performance at Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County in Richmond. Other venues have included Indiana Landmarks Center and Artsgarden in Indianapolis, Honeywell House in Wabash and Timberland Community in North Manchester.
Indiana Arts Commission grants and local contributions help make the quartet’s concerts free for the public.
If you go
- What: Chanticleer String Quartet music festival
- When/where: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, Cross Road Recovery Center, 6512 U.S. 27 S.; 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. Sixth St.; 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester Blvd.; and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Chanticleer Farm, 944 Woods Road (rain location St. Paul’s Episcopal, 800 N. A St.) All are in Richmond.
- Cost: Free
- Info: 917-991-2096 or chanticleerquartet.com
WWN podcast spotlights founder
Western Wayne News’ podcast series featured Caroline Klemperer last November.
“I’m both a professional violinist and a farm girl – it’s a concept that many people haven’t considered, but it’s what I am,” Klemperer said.
During her earliest days at Boston School, Klemperer’s stage fright was so overwhelming it made her physically sick. Klemperer now reflects on performing and teaching all around the world while maintaining her local roots.
A version of this article appeared in the July 31 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.