Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor
According to their website, the Salem String Quartet was named the Quartet in Residence with the Camerata Music Society, the music society of the Mid-Willamette Valley that provides free chamber music events to the public. On May 16, the Salem String Quartet visited the stage of Smith Music Hall.
The quartet’s website reports that the four string players met while performing in Salem in 2008 and naturally came together to form the group. They have been performing in the valley since June 2017.
The Salem String Quartet is made up of violist Brandon Correa, cellist Katherine Perks and violinists Caius and Sigrun Oprea, who are married. The quartet members are from all over the world — Caius Oprea was born in Romania, Sigrun Oprea is native to South Africa, Correa was raised in Honolulu and Katherine Perks grew up in Idaho.
On the night of May 16, the quartet performed three movements of Op. 11 written by American composer Samuel Barber, and No. 2 in G Major, Opus 111 by German composer Johannes Brahms. For the latter song, the group performed as a string quintet, as they were joined by violist George Thomson, the current Director of Orchestras at West Salem High School and Conductor of the Corvallis Youth Symphony.
Salemstringquartet.com describes the group’s performances as “a uniquely satisfying blend of versatility, inspiration, energy, quality and experience.” This explanation also applied to the group’s Smith Hall performance. The show was passionate and lively, as well as one of the most highly attended Smith Hall events this school year.
Similar to most 2018-2019 art performances, the Salem String Quartet’s performance was free for Western students. The quartet will perform one free event every year until 2021 as part of the Camerata Music Society’s concert series, and will participate in other events with the organization.
Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu
Photo by Paul F. Davis
