Quartetto Gelato

Quartetto Gelato is a Canadian new classical group currently composed of Cynthia Steljes, Peter DeSotto, Alexander Sevastian, and Elinor Frey based in Toronto, Ontario. Debuting in 1994 with founding members Cynthia Steljes, Peter DeSotto, George Meanwell, and Claudio Vena, Quartetto Gelato quickly established themselves on the emerging “new classical” scene early in their career by winning the title of NPR Performance Today's Debut Artist of the Year in 1996.

Known for their musical versatility, the groups’ instrumental expertise consists of eight different musical instruments including an operatic tenor in Peter DeSotto. Their musical repertoire consists of a mix of classical masterworks and operatic arias with tangos, gypsy and folk songs from around the world. Unique in their field is their penchant for performing without musical scores and their often dry sense of humor.

The quartet's CDs have literally been heard around the world - Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk took their first two CDs with him during his NASA flight on board the space shuttle Columbia. Despite having changed members frequently throughout the years, the Juno and Gemini nominated Quartetto Gelato persists with repeat sold-out performances throughout the globe.