Da Ponte Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1999 in New York City. The ensemble is named after Lorenzo Da Ponte, an Italian librettist who collaborated with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on three of his most famous operas: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Così fan tutte. The founding members of Da Ponte Ensemble were violinist Curtis Macomber, violist Daniel Panner, cellist André Emelianoff, and pianist William Wolfram. All four musicians were accomplished performers with extensive experience in the classical music world. Macomber had been a member of the New World String Quartet, Panner had played with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Emelianoff had been a member of the Juilliard String Quartet, and Wolfram had won numerous awards and performed with major orchestras around the world. From the beginning, Da Ponte Ensemble was committed to performing a wide range of classical music, from the Baroque era to contemporary works. The ensemble's repertoire includes chamber music, solo works, and concertos, and they have collaborated with a variety of guest artists, including singers, wind players, and percussionists. One of the highlights of Da Ponte Ensemble's early years was their performance of the complete cycle of Beethoven's string quartets. The ensemble performed all 16 quartets over the course of several concerts, and the performances were praised for their technical precision and emotional depth. In 2003, Da Ponte Ensemble released their first album, titled "Da Ponte Plays Mozart." The album featured the ensemble's interpretations of Mozart's Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, and Piano Quartet No. 3 in B-flat major. The album received critical acclaim and helped to establish Da Ponte Ensemble as one of the leading classical music ensembles in the United States. Over the years, Da Ponte Ensemble has continued to perform at major venues and festivals around the world. They have appeared at the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, the Ravinia Festival, the Caramoor Festival, and the Mostly Mozart Festival, among others. They have also collaborated with a number of renowned soloists, including pianist Emanuel Ax, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and violinist Joshua Bell. In addition to their performances, Da Ponte Ensemble has also been recognized for their contributions to the classical music world. They have received numerous awards and honors, including the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, the Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award. One of the most notable performances in Da Ponte Ensemble's history took place in 2016, when they performed the complete cycle of Beethoven's piano trios over the course of three concerts. The performances were held at the 92nd Street Y in New York City and were praised for their technical virtuosity and emotional depth. Today, Da Ponte Ensemble continues to be one of the most respected and admired classical music ensembles in the world. They remain committed to performing a wide range of repertoire and collaborating with a variety of guest artists, and they continue to inspire audiences with their passion and dedication to the art of classical music.

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