The Hotchkiss School presents an Evening of Chamber Music on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Katherine M. Elfers Hall, Esther Eastman Music Center. This special performance, free and open to the public, will feature an internationally distinguished roster of artists: cellist Robert deMaine, clarinetist Darko Brlek, and pianists Fabio Witkowski and Gisele Nacif Witkowski. The program includes works by Beethoven, Schumann, Villa-Lobos, and Piazzolla, offering an evening of expressive depth, virtuosic brilliance, and vibrant rhythmic energy.

Praised by The New York Times as “an artist who makes one hang on every note,” Robert deMaine is Principal Cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and one of today’s most sought-after soloists and chamber musicians. A frequent guest at the world’s premier festivals and concert halls, he has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and many other leading venues worldwide. DeMaine performs on a 1684 Antonio Stradivari cello, the “General Kyd, ex-Leo Stern,” and has recorded extensively for major labels including Naxos. His playing is celebrated for its “beautiful singing tone” and “lapidary technical precision.”

Joining him is internationally acclaimed clarinetist Darko Brlek, recognized for his artistry and dynamic presence on stages across Europe and beyond. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Ljubljana Festival, one of Europe’s leading cultural festivals, bringing a wealth of leadership and artistic vision to his performances.

Pianist Fabio Witkowski, a native of Brazil, has performed throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas, collaborating with leading ensembles and soloists worldwide. In addition to his active international career, he serves as Head of the Arts Department and Director of the Music Program at The Hotchkiss School.

Pianist Gisele Nacif Witkowski has been praised by the New York Concert Review for “the most genuinely fascinating recital debut in many a moon.” An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, she has performed extensively across the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia, and appears regularly with the Witkowski Piano Duo in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. She is also a member of the piano faculty at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Together, these artists will present a richly varied program spanning the Classical elegance of Beethoven, the Romantic lyricism of Schumann, the colorful textures of Villa-Lobos, and the passionate, tango-infused spirit of Piazzolla. The performance promises an engaging and unforgettable evening celebrating the intimacy and brilliance of chamber music.