Brendan Forrest

On Sunday, April 14th at 2 p.m., the Driver Opera House is honored to present an evening of exceptional musical talent featuring Diana Ladio and esteemed colleagues at the Leona M. Havens Theatre. Diana Ladio, a distinguished Nashville-based musician renowned for her virtuosity as a violinist, composer, and educator, will grace our stage. Alongside her noteworthy accomplishments as a solo artist, Diana is a prominent member of the electric strings ensemble, The Moxie Strings, with whom she has toured extensively for over 16 years. Notably, her contributions have earned the ensemble a coveted Billboard #1 in the Classical Crossover category. Traversing the globe with her musical prowess, Diana, accompanied by her ensemble of accomplished musicians, embarks on a journey to Darlington to share her passion for diverse musical genres. In her own words, Diana articulates her dedication to musical versatility, stating, "I am a 5-string violinist and fiddle player, and I aim to be able to play as many genres as possible! My degree is in Classical Music, and I quickly began venturing into the fiddle world, specifically Celtic and Bluegrass." Co-headlining alongside Diana Ladio is the trio of Brendan Forrest, Ben Zorn, and Sean Carolan, distinguished musicians deeply entrenched in the rich musical heritage of Chicago. Together, they seamlessly weave elements of bluegrass, folk, and Americana into a captivating musical tapestry, reflecting the dynamic evolution of American music. Sean Carolan, a seasoned bassist and multi-instrumentalist, brings a wealth of experience garnered from performances across North and South America and Europe, including his tenure as a founding member of the acclaimed Chicago jam-band Mungion. Ben Zorn, hailing from Chicago's northwest side, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist celebrated for his mastery of intricate folk harmonies and collaborations with esteemed folk musicians across the Midwest. Brendan Forrest, an award-winning singer-songwriter and composer, enriches the trio's performance with his distinctive blend of contemporary and folk styles, adorned with accolades such as the City of Chicago Artist Grantee and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner. Opening the evening will be the esteemed quartet comprising Joe Dorman, Jeff Kluesner, Jim Jacobson, and Steve Fitzsimons, delivering a captivating repertoire of Gaelic and contemporary tunes. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., with the performance commencing promptly at 2 p.m. Tickets, priced at $15, will be available for purchase at the door (cash or check only).