EnsembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ) the chamber music ensemble, is celebrating its eighth season with a program of contemporary masterworks, three world premieres, two commissioned works and several collaborations.

This season also marks the group’s participation in The Ringling’s “Art of Performance" series. Also new this season is that enSRQ is the presenting partner for the world premiere of a new work by Angélica Negrón, winner of the 2022 Hermitage Greenfield Prize. Another highlight is the world premiere of Scott Lee’s Karst, which was written for ensembleNEWSRQ co-founders Samantha Bennett and George Nickson.

"We're excited to hit the ground running for our eighth season,” says Bennett. “The main season is built around our core artists and three world premieres, two of which are fundamentally inspired by the Florida landscape. In the spring we're thrilled to return to The Ringling with a festival of concerts inspired by Paris, which we're calling 'Parisian Refraction.’ It's an opportunity for us to do something on a larger scale and to bring in artists from around the world, working symbiotically with the museum's special exhibits.”

Here's a look at the 2023-2024 season.

Beyond the Veil

October 23, 7:30 p.m. 

Season 8 opens with works for string quartet and piano. String quartets from Nia Imani Franklin and Julia Adolphe bookend a trio for violins and piano from Chris Rogerson. Philippe Manoury’s Tensio for string quartet and live electronics transports you to a different world. First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. 

Ligeti's 100th

November 20, 7:30 p.m. 

In a program celebrating the birth centennial of the incomparable György Ligeti, enSRQ welcomes back pianist Han Chen to perform the composer's Études and Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano. Also featured are mixed instrumentation pieces inspired by Ligeti’s legacy: Wax and Wire from Viet Cuong, and Slipstream from Stacy Garrop. First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. 

Night and Day

January 22, 7:30 p.m. 

enSRQ premieres Scott Lee’s Karst, written for its artistic directors Samantha Bennett and George Nickson, as the first of this season’s two commissions. Night and Day includes string, harp and percussion pieces from Molly Herron, Sebastian Currier, Einojuhaari Rautavaara, and Sam Adams. First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. 

You Are Free

March 25, 7:30 p.m. 

Raven Chacon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Voiceless Mass anchors this program of works for mixed instrumentation. The concert also presents the world premiere commission of a work by Kyle Rivera, a student at Yale School of Music, which was written for enSRQ artists. The program also incudes works by Ania Vu, Shawn Okpebholo and Sarah Kirkland Snider. First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. 

Angélica Negrón: A World Premiere

April 15 at sunset

enSRQ is the presenting partner for the world premiere of a new work by Angélica Negrón, the winner of the 2022 Hermitage Greenfield Prize. Negrón’s newest, site-specific work is for a unique ensemble of low strings, harps, percussion and electronics. Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6630 Manasota Key Road, Englewood.

The Ringling’s Art of Performance Series Presents Parisian Refraction

 May 9-10, 7:30 p.m.; May 11, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Led by Samantha Bennett and George Nickson, this four-part series explores works and composers that either embody Paris, have been commissioned by groups in the city, or are inspired or affected by the French capital. Performances showcase the similarities and differences of musicians who have been changed by the City of Light. Performers include Maurice Cohn, assistant conductor, Dallas Symphony, and music director, West Virginia Symphony; Lucy Fitz Gibbon, soprano; Conor Hanick, Han Chen and Ryan McCullough, pianos; and Mike Truesdell on percussion. Tickets for “Parisian Refraction” can be purchased at ringling.org or by calling (941) 360-7399. Single tickets for Parisian Reflection go on sale Sept. 1.