The string quartet performed in the series on June 25th. Musicians were: Rebecca Katsenes, Jane Hemenway violins, Scoot Woolweaver Viola, Cameron Sawzin Cello.

The eclectic program ranged from Mozart Divertimento #3 and Bluegrass tune “Dawg’s Bull to “Layla” by Eric Clapton with red-hot tangos, bluegrass and a taste of Cole Porter in between.

Fabulous Argentinean guitarist and composer Claudio Ragazzi, pianist Fernando Michelin, violinist Gerry Mordis and cellist Cameron Sawzin performed on the July 9th Concert. Claudio recently wrote several pieces for the film score for Francis Ford Copplola’s latest film and played all the guitar on it as well. Cameron has recorded several of his compositions for the PBS show “Nova”. This very unusual concert was a mixture of sophisticated tango, jazz/fusion and contemporary music, featuring beautiful tunes and infectious rhythmic patterns. Claudio arranged all the music for this ensemble. The Ensemble will continue to perform together at future concerts as will the Channel Cello Band the String Quartet.

Boston Virtuosi musicians are developing collaborations with other ensembles, and the rock-out electric cello concert on July 16th featuring the cello chix included wild arrangements of “Dollars and Sense” by Radio Head, “Whipping Post” by the Allman Brothers and “Kashmir” by Led Zepplin. The kinder, gentler first half included elegant acoustic and tonally rich classical music with the unique sound of a cello quartet. On the program were an arrangement of the slow movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto, and a wonderful version of the Mozart Sonata for two Pianos. Also featured were several of Susanna Porte’s very cello-friendly Beatles arrangements.

The final concert on August 20th will be The New England Brass, led by amazing Boston Virtuosi principal trumpet player Jay Daly. More information about the series is available by visiting friendsoffortpointchannel.org.

The ensemble has relocated it’s base of operations to the unique Fort Point neighborhood. The long-term presence of artists in Fort Point – then and now – together with the dawning prospect of the area’s becoming the vibrant Mecca for a substantial arts community that will include a wide range of performing arts as well, is very exciting. The visual artists who have called this remarkable community their home for so many years have created the bedrock beginning of this unique neighborhood’s renaissance.

Boston Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra concerts will bridge, and reflect the many threads of South Boston’s unique neighborhoods. Communities are exceptionally supportive of arts groups when they can truly call them their own. As our concert series evolves, we look forward to multimedia collaboration with the wonderfully talented artists who have made Fort Point Channel such a special, creative place. The creative team is working to create a unique Fort Point performing arts identity. The concert series will offer an experience unlike anything else in Boston.