A very special tribute evening is planned for Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Algonquin Theatre in memory of one of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts co-founders.
The world-famous ensemble the Alcan String Quartet will be performing as part of the Huntsville festival’s 17th season. The quartet has developed a reputation for excellence throughout Canada and internationally since its formation over 16 years ago. The quartet’s originality, contagious enthusiasm, unique sonority and remarkable cohesion have all contributed to its long-term success. Critics agree that, both on stage and in the recording studio, the Alcan Quartet possesses the qualities that characterize the best ensembles of its kind: a recognizable personality, homogeneous sound and elegant style.
The evening is being dedicated to the memory of festival co-founder Susan Alberghini, who died earlier this year. Alberghini’s vision and dedication to the nurturing and development of the arts was instrumental in ensuring the success of the festival in its early years. With the addition of a general manager position in 1996, Alberghini continued to provide programming, media and sponsorship advice to the board and was a frequent visitor to the area to enjoy performances during the summer months.
In earlier years, Alberghini studied and worked at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, on a Fulbright Scholarship from Syracuse University. Alberghini’s uncommon appreciation of art and music led her to open a consulting practice in arts administration that she ran successfully for many years. For the last several years, Alberghini had been the executive director of the Guild of Canadian Film Composers. She was a long-time protégé of Dr. Kenneth G. Mills and, at the time of her death, was the president of the Kenneth G. Mills Foundation.
While in Italy, Alberghini met her husband Pier Paolo Alberghini, who survives her, and has joined with the Mills Foundation to co-sponsor the evening’s performance. As a special request, the Alcan Quartet will be performing Borodin’s String Quartet #2 in D major, a piece of music that was played at Alberghini’s wedding.
In addition to this piece, the quartet will perform works from Mozart, Evangelista and Annunziata in what promises to be a great evening of classical excellence. The ensemble’s list of accomplishments is impressive: close to 1,000 concerts; over 100 live radio broadcasts (Radio Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio in the USA, and Radio France); numerous television appearances; tours throughout North America, Europe, Asia and a number of commissioned pieces and first performances.
In addition to its performing career, the quartet is regularly invited to give master classes at universities, conservatories and summer chamber music institutes. The Alcan Quartet is based in Chicoutimi, Québec, where it receives the unconditional support of the Orchestre Symphonique du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. The quartet takes its name from its principal patron, the multinational aluminum company Alcan. The quartet also receives support from the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Tickets for the performance are available at the box office by calling 789-4975 or online at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.
