Despite promoting themselves as a new ensemble, my research indicated that the Bronzewing String Quartet was formed in 2015. However, to be fair, further research indicated that first violinist Lester Wong and violist Rita Reichbart are the only original members, so the quartet is in effect a reboot with new members Robert Wallace on Violin and Monica Myung on cello. Soprano Fiona McArdle is no novice either. Based at the Elder Conservatorium, she has been performing and teaching for years and has amassed impressive credits both at home (State Opera South Australia, Co-Opera) and overseas (Pittsburgh Festival Opera).

Borodin’s String Quartet No2 in D Major is a delightful staple of the chamber repertoire, one made even more popular by the adoption of melodies from two of its movements into the Broadway musical Kismet. The “newness” of the quartet was exposed somewhat in the opening andante with momentary lapses in intonation in particular. The scherzo with its signature Baubles, Bangles, and Beads melody was pretty if taken at a slower pace than the versions I’ve heard. The quartet seemed more at home in the gorgeous Notturno (Kismet‘s And This is My Beloved) where...