Renowned for their versatility and refined artistry, the Ébène Quartet has established itself as one of the world’s leading string quartets.
The internationally acclaimed ensemble returns to Athens on April 10 at 7:30 p.m. for a performance in Ramsey Concert Hall. The concert, part of the 30th anniversary UGA Presents season, is supported by the late Richard C. Owens.
This program features three masterworks of the string quartet repertoire. The evening opens with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2, a piece noted for its elegance, wit and classical charm. Maurice Ravel’s Quartet in F Major follows, showcasing the composer’s distinctive color, texture and impressionistic style. After intermission, the quartet will perform Beethoven’s Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131, one of the composer’s late quartets, widely regarded as a profound and innovative achievement in chamber music.
The Ébène Quartet — violinists Pierre Colombet and Gabriel Le Magadure, violist Marie Chilemme and cellist Yuya Okamoto — has earned global recognition for performances that span traditional classical repertoire as well as jazz and contemporary works. For their spring 2026 U.S. tour, violist Hélène Clément will join the ensemble in place of Marie Chilemme.
Founded in 1999, the Ébène Quartet rose to prominence after winning the ARD International Music Competition in 2004. The ensemble has since performed in major venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Philharmonie de Paris and the Vienna Konzerthaus. Their ambitious project to record Beethoven’s complete string quartets across six continents marked a significant milestone in their career and celebrated their 20th anniversary.
In addition to their work with the classical canon, the quartet is known for exploring other musical genres such as popular music — an approach that has become a hallmark of their identity. They currently serve as educators and curators, including leading a string quartet class at the Munich University of Music and Performing Arts and collaborating on concert series in Vienna and Paris.
The audience can enjoy a free pre-performance talk by Andrew Maxfield in the Hodgson Concert Hall from 6:45-7:15 p.m.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Audience members can create their own series of three or more performances for 10% off. UGA Presents single tickets start at just $30 with promo code PAC30, and UGA student tickets are $15.
Information about accessibility and venue amenities is available on the PAC website. Parking is free.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.