T'ang Quartet played to a delighted audience on 15 January, 2011 at the Esplanade Concert Hall together with Boston Brass from the United States.

In a concert lasting almost two hours, the unusual collaboration between string quartet and brass quintet presented a boisterous take on the classic tale of the two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. The audience was presented with an engaging musical journey surrounding this theme, with selections from Rota, Prokofiev, Kabalevsky, Bernstein and Elvis Costello in new unique arrangements.

With Leslie Tan from the T'ang Quartet and Lance LaDuke from Boston Brass annotating the pieces, the audience was entertained by the witty repartee between the two while treated to a skilfully crafted programme and compositions that brought different a different sonic experience from the unique collaboration. They were joined by the students from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory on percussion.

Reportedly conceived over drinks, this Romeo and Juliet concert — and marriage of these two spirited groups — ended anything but tragically!