Flonzaley Quartet

The Flonzaley Quartet, founded in 1902 in Manhattan, New York City, was one of the earliest premier string quartets in the United States, renowned for their exceptional musicianship and significant contributions to the chamber music scene. Established by the New York banker Edward J. de Coppet and later supported by his son André, the quartet took its name from de Coppet's summer residence, Villa Flonzaley, near Lausanne, Switzerland, where they often practiced and performed. The original members included Adolfo Betti on 1st violin, Alfred Pochon on 2nd violin, and Ugo Ara on viola, with later replacements including Louis Bailly and Félicien d'Archambeau. The Flonzaley Quartet was celebrated for their public concerts in the United States and Europe, beginning in 1905, and were among the first to be recorded and issued under their own name. Their legacy endures as a testament to their pioneering role in elevating the profile of chamber music in America.