Programs

the opus 76 quartet: music of regency

STEP INTO THE SALON WITH OPUS 76

Music of Regency is an immersive chamber music experience conceived by Keith Stanfield and presented by Opus 76, inspired by the elegance and intimacy of late 18th- and early 19th-century Britain.

Performed in the round, with the audience encircling the musicians seated at an authentic antique chamber music table, the setting restores chamber music to its original scale — shared among friends, at close range, in cultivated surroundings. The program features works premiered between the 1730s and 1830s, illuminating the sound world of the British Regency and its broader European context.

Evenings are complemented by Regency-inspired aperitifs and cocktails, allowing guests to sip and savor while seated just inches from the ensemble. At intermission, listeners are invited to change vantage points, experiencing the music anew from a different acoustic and visual perspective.

More than a concert, Music of Regency is a celebration of refined design, historical atmosphere, and the art of attentive listening — an invitation to encounter timeless repertoire as it was first intended to be heard.

SOCCER AND STRINGS WITH OPUS 76

CELEBRATING THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

Soccer and Strings is a dynamic interdisciplinary program that unites athletic spirit with musical artistry — a reflection of Keith Stanfield's unique journey as both a professional soccer player and a concert violinist.

Originally developed in partnership with youth soccer organizations, Soccer and Strings brings classical music directly into communities that might not otherwise encounter it, pairing athletic engagement with live performance and interactive conversation.

Participants begin with an engaging, skills-focused soccer session designed to build teamwork, coordination, and confidence, followed by a live chamber music presentation by Opus 76. Throughout the performance, musicians provide insights into the repertoire and draw parallels between the discipline of sport and the discipline of music, making connections that resonate with young athletes and listeners alike.

This program has been presented to Youth Soccer Federations and community groups across the United States, offering young players — and their families — an immersive experience that celebrates physical vitality, artistic expression, and the shared joy of discovery. Through Soccer and Strings, Opus 76 fosters deeper engagement with music by meeting communities where they are, combining movement, listening, and conversation in a singularly memorable format.

OPUS 76 - THE BEETHOVEN BICENTENNIAL: HIS COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS

A Monumental Tribute

In the 2026/27 season, the Opus 76 Quartet embarks on one of classical music’s most profound journeys — performing the complete string quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven in honor of the 200th anniversary of his death.

Having recorded the full cycle for NPR & PBS affiliates in the US and brought it to audiences around the globe, the Quartet brings profound insight, passion, and reverence to these iconic works.

From the fiery early quartets and heroic middle works, through the transcendent late masterpieces, this season is a once-in-a-generation celebration of Beethoven’s genius — experienced through the music that forever changed the art of the string quartet.

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States

THE VOICE OF A NEW NATION

In honor of the United States' 250th anniversary, the Opus 76 Quartet's 2025–26 season embarks on a sweeping musical journey through America’s chamber music heritage.

This commemorative series will highlight landmark works that have shaped the nation's musical identity, including vivid recreations of some of the first professional string quartet recitals ever performed in the U.S. — originally brought to life by the pioneering Kneisel Quartet.

Join us as we pay tribute to the roots of American chamber music, celebrating its evolution from intimate salons to concert halls, and envisioning the bold future still to come.

CACTI: OPUS 76 QUARTET’S ACCLAIMED ROLE IN EKMAN’S BALLET

BRINGING ALEXANDER EKMAN'S ICONIC CHOREOGRAPHY TO LIFE WITH LIVE QUARTET PERFORMANCES ACROSS AMERICA'S LEADING BALLET STAGES

Over the past several seasons, the Opus 76 Quartet has established a remarkable reputation for its work with leading ballet companies across the United States, performing in critically acclaimed productions that bring chamber music to the heart of the dance stage. With their distinctive sound—praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth—the quartet has become a sought-after ensemble for live ballet performances, seamlessly integrating their artistry with movement to create unforgettable theatrical experiences.

One of the ensemble’s most celebrated collaborations has been with choreographer Alexander Ekman’s groundbreaking work Cacti.

Performed live with the Kansas City Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet and Ballet Arizona, the production places the musicians on stage alongside the dancers, blurring the lines between musician and performer. The result is a rich, multidimensional experience hailed by critics and audiences alike. Bachtrack hailed the Opus 76 Quartet’s performance as: ” complements to the movements, athletic, sinuous, centripetal and centrifugal, both tense and harmonious. It was a powerful, postmodern mix…” Broadway World also praised the quartet as remarkable, stating: “Of note is the accompaniment provided by the Opus 76 Quartet. This was a relentless, memorable performance, and easily this reviewer's favorite piece of the evening.” The Oklahoma City Free Press described their Oklahoma City performance as “a rich, all-encompassing, and simply gorgeous sensory experience,” while Classical KC highlighted the Kansas City Ballet production as “a rare and electric synergy of music and movement.”

Beyond the critical praise lies a deeper connection—the quartet’s passion for live collaboration. Whether in the intimacy of a chamber hall or the grandeur of a ballet stage, the Opus 76 Quartet brings a unique sensitivity to timing, nuance, and theatrical flow that makes them an ideal partner for choreographers and dancers alike. Their traditional sound, shaped by the great string quartet legacy, blends effortlessly with contemporary movement, allowing them to adapt across stylistic boundaries with agility and grace.