The Opus 76 Quartet – December 4, 2021

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Joplin Public Library

1901 E 20th St
Joplin, MO 64804

10:00-10:45 AM Bach-a-Bye Baby event

2:00-3:00 PM Performance

Both events will be held in the Community Room at the Library.

The Opus 76 Quartet performs a morning Bach-a-Bye Baby event featuring author/narrator Leia Barrett’s musical take on the tale of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and an afternoon concert featuring classical string quartet favorites. The Post Art Library will provide holiday-inspired refreshments to take home following the afternoon performance.

Please note: Masks will be required for all guests aged 2 and older. Concert attendance is limited to 100 seated patrons.

Bach-a-Bye Baby Performance

Leia Barrett: The Goldilocks Quartet
W.A. Mozart: Serenade for Strings in G Major, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” K. 525

Afternoon Performance

A. Dvorak: Quartet No.12 in F Major, “American,” Op.96
The Danish String Quartet: Selections from Woodworks

From it’s hometown of Kansas City, The Opus 76 Quartet has become recognized in journals worldwide for its entertaining and energetic interpretations of the classics. The Strad reviewed a recent performance, commenting “a beautiful Sunrise from [the] Opus 76 Quartet…you’re still allowed to watch [the performance], in fact we insist that you do.” The Spectator (London), reviewing a recent performance of a Late Beethoven Quartet lauded the group, remarking: “a brilliant young string quartet…[a] luminous performance.” In the USA, The Kansas City Star recently described the group’s complete Beethoven Cycle as “certainly passionate performances, fully expressing all of Beethoven’s many emotions from the the lighthearted and jocular to the feverish and intense.”

Artists-in-residence at the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College, The Opus 76 Quartet perform 50 concerts a year nationwide. 

In 2021, the Quartet made their debut with orchestra, and will appear as guest artists with the Kansas City Ballet, performing works by Philip Glass in the Ballet’s season opening performance of “Wunderland” at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. They will also be making a recording of the Six Quartets dedicated to Haydn by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for Kansas Public Radio. As artists-in-residence at The Midwest Trust Center, they will perform a series of concerts in Kansas City, as well as on other concert series at venues across the United States. The Quartet will be giving masterclasses at the Juilliard School and at the Royal Academy of Music.

During the Pandemic of 2020, The Opus 76 Quartet performed and recorded all 18 Beethoven String Quartets in front of a live audience over a six week period. These performances were broadcast statewide on Kansas Public Radio. The ensemble released complete recordings of these works in association with KPR digitally on iTunes and physically on their own label, available for purchase in their online shop. The group established a Digital Residency at the Midwest Trust Center, performing an innovative new streaming Concert Series “Eat, Drink & Play!” pairing staples of the classical repertoire with regionally sourced fine food and drink – in documentary format. 

In addition to upcoming performances with The Kansas City Ballet, the Quartet has collaborated with a number of celebrated artists and groups, including “The Priests” on a tour of the USA, American clarinetist David Krakauer, as well as Norwegian pianist Julie Coucheron and French ‘cellist Noemie Golubovic. In addition to the Beethoven Quartets, the ensemble’s discography includes Schubert’s C Major Quintet, Mendelssohn’s op.44 no.1 and Brahms’s F minor Piano Quintet.

The Opus 76 Quartet is fully committed to improving society through music – and its non-profit foundation, The Friends of the Opus 76 Quartet, oversees its charitable works in the community of Kansas City. The foundation’s goal is to improve society’s ability to listen to one another calmly, and promote greater understanding for the different perspectives on life we all have. Providing interactive educational programmes and learning resources, such as workshops, podcasts and digital presentations, has helped deliver advocacy for the problems the Kansas City community faces. It’s encouraged volunteerism and donations to sister organizations which directly serve those in need, particularly during the Pandemic of 2020, and has worked to demonstrate awareness of the common dignity we all share as human beings – irrespective of social or economic status.

The Opus 76 Quartet continues to be mentored by retired founding member of the Takács Quartet, Károly Schranz.

www.opus76.org

This event is MO ArtSafe certified. Click here to learn more about our safety protocols.

• All patrons aged 2 and older are required to wear a mask throughout the event.
• Each event is limited to 100 people to accommodate for distancing guidelines.
• All guests will follow any seating or distancing guidance conveyed by ushers or staff, such as designated seating areas and pathways for entering, exiting, etc.
• If you do not feel well and/or exhibit symptoms matching those for COVID-19, you agree to remain at home.
• All guests agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Pro Musica from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, claims, lawsuits, judgments, losses, and/or liabilities (including attorney fees) arising directly or indirectly from, or related to, any and all claims due to bodily injury, death, loss of use, monetary loss, or any other injury from or related to the event generally, as well as in regards to any circumstances related to COVID-19.

American Wild Ensemble: Missouri Music at 200: August 5Morgenstern Trio – March 3, 2022

Emlyn Johnson

Emlyn currently serves as Creative Director of Pro Musica. Emlyn’s background as a classically trained flutist, educator, and presenter eventually led her to Missouri, where she taught in the music department at Missouri State University and was the Executive Director for Pro Musica from 2021 – 2023. She is the co-director of the American Wild Ensemble and performs regularly around the state and beyond, and is an adjunct instructor of Flute at UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, MO. Emlyn holds a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music and holds additional degrees from Eastman and the University of Michigan. She is responsible for creative and artistic aspects of Pro Musica and guides the selection process of concerts, reporting to the Board of Directors

Joani Zibert

Joani serves as the incoming Executive Director of Pro Musica, bringing more than 17 years of executive leadership experience across nonprofit governance, arts education innovation, K-12 and postsecondary education development, public and private funding strategy, legal compliance, and organizational growth. A nationally recognized school founder and non-profit executive, she has secured millions in public and private funding, built high-performing organizations from the ground up, and guided boards through periods of transformation, scale, and long-term sustainability at the local, state, and national levels.

Joani is the founder and former Board President of Doral Academy of Nevada, where she led the creation and expansion of an arts-integrated school system now serving over 5,000 students, transforming community frustration over the loss of arts education into an award-winning model of creative excellence.

Originally from the 4-States area, with Slovenian grandparents, she has worked nationally gaining a professional background that includes serving in varying roles including President of nonprofits, Director of Operations, Director of Law & Policy, Director of Grants, Director of Marketing, and senior executive advisor roles. Joani is known for aligning missions with measurable impact while bridging vision, governance, and execution. Her work is rooted in the belief that the arts are not an accessory to education or community life, but a catalyst for connection, economic vitality, and generational change.

As Executive Director of Pro Musica, Joani brings a bold, forward-focused approach centered on organizational excellence, financial sustainability, expanded community engagement, and the elevation of Pro Musica’s role as a cultural cornerstone. She leads with clarity, courage, and collaboration while committed to honoring Pro Musica’s legacy as we build the next chapter with strength and momentum.