"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts begin seven ages."

Thus begins one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches, spoken by the misanthropic Jacques in the comic masterpiece, As You Like It. It is also the basis for a new string quartet, composed by NIU School of Music Professor David Maki and performed by the Avalon String Quartet.

This piece, specially commissioned by the College of Visual and Performing Arts in honor of NIU's 125th anniversary, will have several parts, each introduced with the accompanying text performed by actress Mary Nighosian and actor (and Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts) Paul Kassel.

We hope you'll join us at the world premiere of this exciting marriage of great music and theatre!

Tickets may only be obtained at:  https://niumusic.universitytickets.com/

Blaise Magnière, violin

Richard O. Ryan Endowed Chair in Violin

Marie Wang, violin

Anthony Devroye, viola

Cheng-Hou Lee, cello

String Quartet in G minor by Leo Sowerby

The Seven Ages of Man by David Maki

String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Also available on Live Webcast at: https://www.niu.edu/music/performances/index.shtml

https://youtu.be/_Hzn2Iy4Llk