Chamber music lovers can experience one of classical music’s best-kept secrets this week when North Central College presents the Hugo Wolf Quartett.

The performance is at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, in the acoustically perfect Wentz Concert Hall. Tickets are $25 and $15; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48313.xml.

Hugo Wolf Quartett

Founded at the Vienna University of Music, the Hugo Wolf Quartett has developed from a chamber music lover’s insider tip to one of the most sought-after string quartets of its generation. The four young musicians won the Fifth International String Quartet Competition in Cremona and took first prize at the 45th International G.B. Viotti Chamber Music Competition, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Special Prize and the European Cultural Award for Chamber Music.

Critics praise the quartet; The Los Angeles Times says its music is “Urgent and impassioned, but with an absolute commitment to the ideal values of every note,” and the New York Times says, “One hears in these players, embryonically and in miniature, the qualities that make the Vienna Philharmonic special.”

The name was granted to the quartet by the International Hugo Wolf Society of Vienna. The late Romantic composer Hugo Wolf was situated between the great Viennese music tradition and its departure into the mo­dern period, and his name represents a repertoire stretching from the Classical period to music beyond the Second Viennese School. To learn more, visit www.hugowolfquartett.com.

Members of the quartet will lead a music workshop for North Central students at 4 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Wentz Concert Hall. The workshop is open to the public; admission is $5 at the door.

It’s Homecoming Week at North Central College, and you’re invited to enjoy fine & performing arts events as part of the celebration. Check out a full schedule of activities—which include a parade and a football game versus Wheaton College—at www.northcentralcollege.edu/homecoming.

Women's Chorale

You can catch two performances of three outstanding North Central College ensembles, the Women’s Chorale, Concert Choir and Concert Winds. The ensembles will perform first as part of the Outstanding Alumni Awards & Recognition Program.  at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. The annual Homecoming Concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Both events are in the Wentz Concert Hall.

Starting Thursday, Oct. 22 and continuing through Sunday, Oct. 25, edgy Chicago theatre comes to Naperville with performances of “Love Song” in Meiley-Swallow Hall.

Also this week, North Central College hosts the screening of “The Band Plays On,” a documentary by Naperville Community Television celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the Naperville Municipal Band. The documentary will premiere at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The band will present a concert immediately following the premiere. Admission is free.

What a weekend! Since Thursday, Oct. 8, North Central College’s fine & performing arts venues have played host to Madeleine Albright, Chicago a cappella, Chicago Tap Theatre, author Sarah Vowell, artist Ramson Lomatewama and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra!

A Chicago Tribune critic caught the MSO performance, saying, “The hall boasts a noteworthy acoustic profile … Warmth, reverberation and a “present” sonic profile are valued commodities.”

This week, the public is invited to the opening of an exhibit, “Two Roads: Of What I Think and What I Think About,” by artist Pieter Favier. The opening reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in the Schoenherr Art Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The free exhibit is on display Oct. 16 through Nov. 13.

Also on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., the Student Songwriting Showcase takes place at The Union, 129 W. Benton Ave., featuring original works by 17 talented North Central students.

And on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m., catch the opening of DuPage Symphony Orchestra’s season with a performance of Dvorak’s “In Nature’s Realm,” in the Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center.

Enjoy the fine & performing arts at North Central College.