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Felix the Quartet
Vesa-Matti Leppänen (violin),
Rebecca Struthers (violin),
Andrew Thomson (viola),
Rowan Prior (cello)
Felix the Quartet was named in honour of one of the quartet’s favourite coffee shop, Felix Café in Wellington (and to distinguish it from cartoon feline, Felix the Cat!)
This lively quartet was founded in 2000 by four prominent members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO). Their vibrant performances have been well received throughout the country, reflecting the ‘unseemly amounts of fun’ had while rehearsing
Violinist Vesa-Matti Leppänen was appointed concert master of the NZSO in 2003 and is a member of the highly acclaimed contemporary music group Stroma.
Following study at the Royal Academy of Music, violinist Rebecca Struthers returned home to join the NZSO in 1991. She also plays with the New Zealand Chamber Orchestra, Chiesa Ensemble and Stroma.
In 2000 Andrew Thomson became the NZSO’s Principal Second Violin and its youngest section principal. He performs regularly with the NZSO Chamber Orchestra, with Stroma and plays the viola for Felix the Quartet.
Rowan Prior studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London then spent several years touring Europe, Asia and New Zealand. In 1996 she joined the NZSO and the NZSO Chamber Orchestra, and is also a member of Stroma.
"This is a grand quartet, a real team with a first class sense of balance between the individual voices"
The Christchurch Star
"… this was delicious, buoyant music-making …"
The Dominion Post
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