Season Listing | Program | Biography
PETER DE SOTTO, violin/tenor
Peter De Sotto (violin/tenor) is a remarkable talent whose chameleon-like abilities allow him to perform on the violin not only as a seasoned classical violinist but also as a dazzling gypsy virtuoso. If that is not enough, the real surprise is his fabulous tenor voice which ranges from South American, to authentic Irish folk, to the great romantic Italian songs and arias including Turandot’s “Nessun Dorma.” DeSotto has been referred to as “a credible Pavarotti stand-in” (Stereo Review). Peter has appeared in leading roles in numerous opera and theatre productions, was a member of The Toronto Symphony Orchestra for 11 years, and was voted Musician of the Year in 1999 by the Toronto Musicians Association.
ALEXANDER SEVASTIAN, accordion, piano, bandoneon
Alexander Sevastian (accordion, piano, bandoneon) joined Quartetto Gelato in 2002 after receiving his Masters in Performance degree from Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow. Alex began his professional career in Moscow in 1996, performing with the Russian Radio Orchestra, which he toured with as a soloist throughout Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Alex has won four International Accordion Competitions including the Oslofjord in Norway (1998), The Cup of the North in Russia (2000), the Anthony Galla-Rini Accordion Competition in the U.S.A. (2001) and The Coupe Mondiale in the U.S.A. (2007). Recent solo engagements include recitals in Mexico, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, U.S.A. and Canada as well as appearances with several symphony orchestras. Alex lives in Toronto with his wife Anna and son Vladimir. In the fall of 2005 he became a Canadian Citizen.
COLIN MAIER, oboist
Colin Maier (oboist) graduated from the University of Calgary in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in oboe performance. In 2002, he was a featured Jazz oboist at the International Double Reed Festival where he performed and conducted a jazz master class with legendary jazz bassoonist Michael Rabinowitz. Colin joined Quartetto Gelato in 2009. In addition to oboe, Colin plays clarinet, English horn, violin, 5-string banjo, acoustic/electric bass, piano, saxophone, flute, guitar, mandolin and musical saw. He has yet to master the kitchen sink despite years of training! Colin has also worked for over 20 years as a dancer, actor, stuntman, singer, choreographer, acrobat and martial-artist. His two solo albums, “Advice From a Misguided Man” in 2012 and “The Fabulist – Oboe and Other Things” in 2014 have been heard on radio stations in 17 countries and received fantastic reviews from Wholenote, Fanfare and American Record Guide.
GREG GALLAGHER, cellist
Greg Gallagher (cellist) made his professional debut as a soloist with the New Brunswick Symphony in 2005. He studied to receive his BMus in Performance from Western University in London. Greg won 1st place in the Concerto Competition at Western and was previously awarded 1st prize in the string division at the National Music Festival of Canada. More recently, Greg received his Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School of Music where he studied under Paul Widner and led the cello section of the Royal Conservatory Orchestra. Greg is now working as a teacher for the Sistema Toronto music program as well as freelancing as a professional cellist in Toronto.
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