Otero Arts to Host Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schubert performed by the acclaimed Nomad String Ensemble.

Romantic Metamorphosis concert brings chamber music magic to Alamogordo this weekend—featuring Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schubert performed by the acclaimed Nomad String Ensemble. The event  will be at Otero Artspace on Friday, November 14, at 7:00 PM, 1118 Indiana St. Alamogordo, New Mexico at the edge of Block12.org and Alamogordo MainStreet's Cultural Arts District. 

In a rare and radiant offering of live chamber music, Otero Artspace at 12th and Indiana in Alamogordo will host Romantic Metamorphosis, a transcendent evening of string quartets performed by the Nomad String Ensemble. The concert, set in the intimate acoustics of the Artspace, promises an immersive journey through the emotional landscapes of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schubert—three Romantic masters whose works continue to stir hearts and minds across centuries.

The Nomad String Ensemble features Eric Sewell and Liana Austin on violins, Cory McBride on viola, and Lisa Donald on violoncello—a quartet of seasoned performers whose artistry has graced stages across New Mexico and beyond. Sewell, a Socorro native and curator of the ensemble, brings a deep reverence for musical storytelling, having performed and conducted at institutions from Columbia University to New Mexico Tech. His programming often explores the liminal space between history and emotion, inviting audiences into a shared experience of sonic transformation New Mexico Tech.

Lisa Donald, a cellist with over two decades of performance experience in New Mexico, adds a rich, grounded resonance to the ensemble’s sound. Her musical journey has taken her from Albuquerque to Miami and Kansas City, shaping a versatile and expressive voice on the cello Zeffy. Cory McBride, on viola, and Liana Austin, on violin, round out the ensemble with technical brilliance and interpretive depth, ensuring that each phrase is both precise and poetic.

The program opens with Beethoven’s String Quartet in B-flat major, op. 18, no. 6, a work that bridges Classical clarity with Romantic introspection. Its final movement, “La Malinconia,” is a study in emotional contrast, shifting from solemnity to exuberance with daring fluidity. Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E-flat major, op. 12, composed at just 20 years old, follows—its lyrical Canzonetta and expressive Andante revealing a young composer already fluent in the language of longing and restraint.

After intermission, the ensemble will perform Schubert’s String Quartet in A minor, D. 804, known as the “Rosamunde” quartet. Written in 1824, it is one of the few works Schubert heard performed in his lifetime. The quartet’s emotional expansiveness and structural innovation invite listeners into a space of personal metamorphosis—where sorrow and beauty intertwine.

Tickets are $25 and available at www.oteroarts.org, or by calling 575-446-3880. Early purchase is encouraged, as seating is limited and demand is high. The ticketing platform, Zeffy.com, supports nonprofit organizations and allows patrons to choose whether to leave a tip—no fees are deducted from Otero Arts.

This concert is sponsored by Heart of the Desert, with additional support from Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts. It is more than a performance—it is a celebration of Romantic transformation, community, and the enduring power of live music.

Sources: 

2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.org
Otero Arts Official Website – www.oteroarts.org
For ticketing, event details, and venue information.

 Nomad String Ensemble Biographies – Based on publicly available performance programs and regional arts announcements. Specific bios for:• Eric Sewell: Violinist, conductor, and educator with ties to Columbia University and New Mexico Tech.
• Lisa Donald: Cellist with over 20 years of performance experience in New Mexico and other states.
• Liana Austin and Cory McBride: Ensemble members with regional performance credits.

Program Notes – Provided in the original event announcement, detailing historical and musical context for works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schubert.

Sponsorship and Funding Acknowledgments – Heart of the Desert, Creative West, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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