A Musical Journey of Heritage and Innovation with Quartetto Goldberg

Stories | April 17, 2025

Today’s story begins with the fantastic journey of Quartetto Goldberg, a string quartet that has been able to set an example of what Merita Project actually stands for. Quartetto Goldberg consists of four talented musicians: Jingzhi-first violin, Giacomo-second violin, Matilde-viola, and Martino-cello. It has been a very passionate story, as they happened to be caught up together in the same house during the pandemic in January 2021, which soon grew into something much more meaningful.

Their passion for music quickly grew, leading them to set a significant goal: to prepare for the admission into the prestigious Quartetto di Cremona string quartet class at the Staufer Academy. This, in fact, was a turning point in the career path of Quartetto Goldberg.

Photo Source: Quartetto Goldberg, Merita Project

Merita: An Inspiring Challenge

As they progressed, Quartetto Goldberg stumbled upon the call for applications to the Merita platform. They were immediately drawn to the project’s purpose, finding it both innovative and challenging. While diving into the new experience with the Merita Project, participating in online courses and fine-tuning their ideas, they began to realize the magnitude of this opportunity.

For Quartetto Goldberg, Italy became the source of inspiration for their performance project. From the very outset of their collaboration, they plunged into Italian string quartet music, a world of mighty, creative works that had been underrated for much too long. With the Merita Project, they commenced to shed light on this repertoire, bringing it step by step onto the podium in classical music.

From Concept to Concert: A Journey of Creativity

Probably the most challenging part of the process was to envision their project in a concert hall. As they moved from concept to reality, from equipment adjustments to performance refinement, they experienced a profound moment of satisfaction during the dress rehearsal. To play through an entire program with everything in its place marked an important milestone.

The concert they have prepared is not only a performance but is an “Italian art experience”. Quartetto Goldberg has acted with much modesty by not taking the center stage, as the beauty of the music, painted pictures, and poems take the main lead. They think of themselves as windows that the audience would look through to appreciate the treasures of the Italian culture, starting with the soothing music of Boccherini, Puccini, and Verdi.

Quartetto Goldberg taken from Instagram: @ quartettogoldberg 17.07.2024

Immersive Audience Experience

The concert experience promises to be intimate and immersive, with no stage dividing the musicians from the audience. In this structure, the audience members will feel they are a part of the artwork, shaping it through their presence. The performance unfolds in three shapes and textures that underpin a dynamic and evolving narrative.

Quartetto Goldberg has worked on a smooth passage from the more traditional concert format to a multimedia theatre form, taking all the necessary time for the audience to get used and fully appreciate this artistic experiment. Above all, they are well aware that their format is nothing particularly new, even if the placement of Italian art is absolutely central in their performance. Further suggestions and criticism go toward perfecting their craft.

A Musical Travel Well Worth Exploring

The quartet has demonstrated that with passion, creativity, and collaboration, some of the most influential projects can really be pushed forward. Quartetto Goldberg sheds light on long-neglected repertoire in the Italian string quartet genre and invites an audience on a unique thrilling journey in celebration of beauty in both classical music and cultural heritage.

A presto! Arrivederci!