The Cappelletti-Chao Duo
AFA String Department

Violinist Eva Cappelletti Chao and violist Philippe Chao have been sharing their collaborative music-making with appreciative audiences around the U.S. for nearly a decade. From the first time they read duets together, they recognized that they had a unique musical and personal connection that they wanted to share.

Their audiences often comment not only on the excellence of the musical performance, but on the open and inviting flow between these artists and their listeners – breaking the barrier between performer and audience.

The Cappelletti-Chao Duo has performed in venues both large and intimate throughout the mid-Atlantic region as well as in music festivals around the country. In roles ranging from concerto soloists and recitalists to chamber music coaches, masterclass teachers, and private instructors, they have participated in the Grand Teton Music Festival, the Eastern Music Festival and the American Festival for the Arts.

In addition to performing the standard repertoire for violin and viola, the Cappelletti-Chao Duo has received compositions as personal gifts. In 2006, the duo welcomed into their repertoire a piece entitled Midnight Mass, by American Festival for the Arts Music Director, composer Michael Remson. Suite for String Duo by Virginia composer Brian Wilhour, commissioned for them after a successful musical collaboration and European tour, received its premiere in 2004. The first work created for the couple, Divertimento, was written for them in 1999 as a wedding gift by renowned composer, Adolphus Hailstork.

The Cappelletti-Chao Duo looks forward to their return to the American Festival for the Arts this summer after a three year hiatus.