KINGSTON, R.I. — September 20, 2006 — As part of its 25th Anniversary season, the University of Rhode Island’s Great Performances series will feature the acclaimed string sextet, Concertante on Friday, October 13, 2006. The performance will be held at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on the Kingston Campus.

Comprised of award winning gifted young artists Concertante was founded in 1995 by a group of Juilliard School graduates intent on pursuing their musical collaboration after graduation. As an ensemble, Concertante has performed across America, gathering rave reviews, appearing on NPR’s “St. Paul Sunday” and recently returned from its first tour of China.

The Resident Chamber Ensemble of the Whitaker Center for Science and Arts in Harrisburg, Penn., the ensemble has an interest in furthering the cause of new music and infrequently performed chamber works.

Their performance will include the premiere of Lowell Liebermann’s Chamber Concerto Op. 98 No.2, Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht” (Transfigured Night) and Tchaikovsky’s lush “Souvenir de Florence” (Remembrances of Florence). The Liebermann work is part of the ensemble’s active commissioning efforts, this particular endeavor called “Five plus One” allows for the commissioning of a new Chamber Concerto with a different soloist for each work thus covering all members of the sextet. This Lieberman work features violinist Xiao-Dong Wang.

Tickets ($15 General, $12 URI Faculty/Staff/Senior and $5 Students) may be purchased in advance or at the door.

For more information or tickets to this event call 401-874-2627 or visit online. This event is sponsored in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. For interview possibilities and/or electronic images please contact Roxana Tourigny 401-874-4578.