© 2025 Blue Ridge Public Radio
Blue Ridge Mountains banner background
Your source for information and inspiration in Western North Carolina.
BPR News
Morning Edition
BPR News
Morning Edition
Next Up: 9:00 AM BBC Newshour
0:00
0:00
Morning Edition
BPR News
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Ciompi Quartet Turns 50

Host Frank Stasio talks with Arturo Ciompi, son of quartet founder Giorgio Ciompi, as well as members of the quartet and they perform live in our studio

The Ciompi Quartet was founded at Duke University by renowned Italian violinist Giorgio Ciompi. Since its inception in 1965, the quartet has been an integral part of the classical music scene in the Triangle and has also built a reputation around the world.

The quartet begins its anniversary season with a performance at Baldwin Auditorium next Saturday, October 3. The event features celebrated jazz vocalist Nneena Freelon. 

Host Frank Stasio talks to the Ciompi Quartet and they perform live in studio; the quartet is Eric Pritchard, violin; Hsiao-mei Ku, violin; Jonathan Bagg, viola; and Fred Raimi, cello. He is also joined by Arturo Ciompi, the son of quartet founder Giorgio Ciompi.

The Ciompi Quartet consists of (L-R) Fred Raimi, Eric Pritchard, Jonathan Bagg and Hsiao-mei Ku.
D.L. Anderson /
The Ciompi Quartet consists of (L-R) Fred Raimi, Eric Pritchard, Jonathan Bagg and Hsiao-mei Ku.

Copyright 2015 North Carolina Public Radio

Anita Rao is the host and creator of "Embodied," a live, weekly radio show and seasonal podcast about sex, relationships & health. She's also the managing editor of WUNC's on-demand content. She has traveled the country recording interviews for the Peabody Award-winning StoryCorps production department, founded and launched a podcast about millennial feminism in the South, and served as the managing editor and regular host of "The State of Things," North Carolina Public Radio's flagship daily, live talk show. Anita was born in a small coal-mining town in Northeast England but spent most of her life growing up in Iowa and has a fond affection for the Midwest.
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.