Arizona Senior Academy will treat classical music fans to a concert on Tuesday by the Esperanza String Quartet.
The quartet is made up of Tucson Symphony Orchestra artists Theodore Buchholz, cellist; Anna Gendler and Carlie Rigg, violinists; and Melissa Hamilton, violist.
Esperanza's performance will feature Beethoven's String Quartet in E flat major, Opus 74, "The Harp," a full and lavish work that is often overlooked.
Also on the program is Mendelssohn's String Quartet in A minor, Opus 13. Composed when Mendelssohn was 18, the work draws much of its inspiration from Beethoven's quartets.
The concert begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Arizona Senior Academy Building, adjacent to the Community Center at Academy Village, an active-adult community at 13715 E. Langtry Lane.
The performance is free and open to the public.
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In addition to performing with the TSO, Buchholz plays in more than 70 concerts a year. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He is director of America String Teacher's Association Tucson Cello Congress and teaches at Pima Community College.
Gendler is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory in Russia and has been a member of the TSO since 1991. In addition to being an accomplished chamber musician, she is involved with the musical education of children in Tucson. She is teaching artist for the Opening Minds through the Arts Project and teaches at Pima.
Rigg is a member of the first violin section of the TSO and performs with many arts organizations throughout Southern Arizona. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in violin performance from the UA and the University of Idaho. She also is violinist and manager of Aracelli Strings.
Hamilton is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she received bachelor's and master's degrees in viola performance.
She taught viola at Western Washington University and was violist of the Pacific String Quartet at Western. In addition to performing with the TSO, she is violist with the Tucson Chamber Artists.
Due to the popularity of Arizona Senior Academy events and limited seating, nonmembers are encouraged to make advance reservations.
If you go
• What: Esperanza in concert
• When: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday
• Where: Arizona Senior Academy Building at Academy Village, 13715 E. Langtry Lane
• Admission: Free; donations accepted
• Reservations: Recommended; email info@arizonasenioracademy.org or call 647-0980
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