ARTIST PROFILE: ConTempo Quartet

ConTempo Quartet, comprising Bogdan Sofei (violin I), Ingrid Nicola (violin II), Andreea Banciu (viola), and Adrian Mantu (cello), was formed in 1995 in Bucharest and is recognised as one of today's most exciting and vibrant chamber ensembles. Since being chosen as MusicConnects' Ensemble in Residence in 2003, the quartet has captivated audiences throughout Galway city and county with a repertoire spanning classical, contemporary, folk, and traditional music.

The ensemble has won a record fourteen international prizes, including first prizes at the GrosserFörderpreise Competition in Munich, the Valentino Bucchi Competition in Rome, the Tunnel Trust Competition in London, and the Mozart Competition in Romania. Further honours include second prize at the Johannes Brahms International Competition in Hamburg, the Audience Prize and third prize at the London String Quartet Competition, third prizes at the Schubert und die Musik der Moderne Competition in Graz and the Max Reger Competition in Weimar, as well as the Wigmore Award and the Romanian Musical Critics Union Prize.

In 2013, ConTempo Quartet was appointed RTÉ's Quartet in Residence. In June 2016, all four members were conferred with Honorary Doctorates in Music by the University of Galway, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to music performance and education across the West of Ireland. In 2022, ConTempo Quartet were awarded the prestigious Order of the Knights in Performing Arts by the President of Romania.