The University of Iowa’s Hancher will present the Jupiter String Quartet on Friday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Recital Hall, 405 N. Riverside Drive in Iowa City. The performance will feature music by Beethoven and Hindemith, as well as Schubert’s beloved Death and the Maiden.

The Jupiter String Quartet took its name from the planet Jupiter because it was the most prominent planet in the night sky at the time of the quartet's formation, and the astrological symbol for Jupiter resembles the number four. The quartet consist of violinists Nelson Lee and Megan Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel, and cellist Daniel McDonough. Megan and Liz are sisters, and Megan and Daniel are married. Entering its second decade of making music, this tightly-knit ensemble has firmly established itself as an important voice in the world of chamber music.

In addition to their performing career, the musicians have joined the faculty of the University of Illinois as String Quartet-in-Residence. They also hold visiting faculty residencies at Oberlin Conservatory and Adelphi University, and have engaged in a multi-year residency at Atlanta’s Spivey Hall.

For the Hancher performance, the quartet will perform Beethoven’s Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2; Hindemith’s Quartet No. 4, Op. 22; and Schubert’s Quartet in D Minor, D. 810 (Death and the Maiden).

The performance by the Jupiter String Quartet is supported by the Hancher Partners and gifts to the Hancher Circle through the UI Foundation. Hancher will present the performance in collaboration with the UI School of Music's String Quartet Residency Program, which will coordinate and host related residency activities with the quartet.

Tickets are $35 ($31.50 for senior citizens, $10 for college students and youth) and are available from the Hancher Box Office, located on the first floor of the south end of the Old Capitol Town Center near the parking ramp. The Hancher Box Office is open for phone (319-335-1160 or 800-426-2437) or walk-up business from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Tickets may be ordered online at the Hancher Box Office website. Any remaining tickets will be available for sale one hour before show time at the Riverside Recital Hall.

Other public events during the Jupiter's residency:

Project Art performance, noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, atrium of UI Hospitals and Clinics.

"Under the Hood": The Jupiter Quartet, 12:30-1:20 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, UCC Recital Hall. Join the members of the Jupiter Quartet for a behind-the-scenes discussion as to how they have built a career as an internationally recognized quartet. With two members being sisters and two members a married couple, the Jupiter is a particularly close-knit ensemble. Is there such a thing as too much togetherness?

Chamber Music Master Class, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, UCC Recital Hall. Join the Jupiter Quartet as they share their expertise with UI School of Music chamber music students.

Performance at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, Frank Conroy Reading Room, Dey House. Seating is limited.

The School of Music is part of the Division of Performing Arts in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact the Hancher Box Office in advance at 319-335-1158.