Continuo: The CelloBello Legacy Gala

This fall, Chamber Music America took a transformative step in education and access by acquiring CelloBello and its vast teaching library. Building upon CelloBello’s rich foundation, CMA will look to expand its mission beyond the virtual space, preserving Paul Katz’s pedagogical legacy while expanding its reach nationwide. The acquisition was celebrated at a gala in Boston on November 12, headlined by Yo-Yo Ma, a testament to the stature and significance of this milestone. Nancy and Richard Lubin served as honorary chairs of the event; The Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation made a generous leading gift for the CelloBello Legacy Endowment, established to ensure the continuation of CelloBello’s mission and programs as part of CMA’s education and artistic learning portfolio.

During Continuo: The CelloBello Legacy Gala, Yo-Yo Ma opened the program with an unforgettable solo performance of an Americana medley and Bach’s Sixth Suite for Solo Cello. He was joined next by the Balourdet Quartet for a performance of two movements from Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major. Later, three cellists from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Blaise Dejardin, Alex LeCarme, and Mickey Katz, took the stage with Ma to play a selection that included “Meditation” from Thaïs and the beloved Catalan work El Cant dels Ocells (‘Song of the Birds’).

Below, explore a gallery from this extraordinary evening.