Anonymous 4 + 2 guests take the stage at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts | Press Releases

Anonymous 4, the renowned ensemble whose unearthly a cappella interpretations of early music have captured world attention, will, for the first time, join their soaring ensemble singing with new friends and string players, Darol Anger and Scott Nygaard in "Long Time Traveling," at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. Journalist Robert Sherman will lead a pre-concert Art to Heart discussion from 7:00 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.

In 2002, after 18 years touring and recording together, the members of Anonymous 4 announced their decision to pursue individual dreams and adventures, much to the disappointment of their fans. But they added that special projects would reunite them in the future. Now, they have joined forces once again and have invited mandolinist and fiddle player Darol Anger and guitarist Scott Nygaard to accompany the group on its journey into the roots of Anglo-American tradition.

The "seraphic-voiced female vocal quartet" as they have been called, embarked on another carefully researched exploration into the historical genre of America's early music with the release of their 2004 award-winning CD, "American Angels."

An unqualified hit, the CD spent almost a year on the Billboard Classical Top Fifteen list and peaked at No. 1. Smitten with the simple beauty of this early American music and encouraged by the widespread popularity of "American Angels," Anonymous 4 returned to the studio for a second pilgrimage to its new treasure trove of music and recorded poems, many of which are even more beautiful than those initially recorded. Together, these hymns and ballads tell a story of love and loss, hope and redemption.

"Gloryland," released in Sept. 2006 to outstanding reviews, includes religious ballads, gospel and folk songs sung in the tradition of singers from the Ozark and the Appalachian mountains. The quartet sings "shape note" tunes in the spare three-part harmonizations in which they first appeared in the 19 ^th century tune books.

As Anonymous 4 celebrates a new path of music separated by centuries from the medieval music for which they are known, the group has collaborated with super-instrumentalists Darol Anger and Scott Nygaard. These consummate musicians slip seamlessly over the borders of bluegrass, newgrass, classical and jazz. Their contribution of fiddle, mandolin and guitar add a heightened musical dimension to the purity of the now-familiar haunting sound of Anonymous 4.

Single tickets are $40, $35, $30. Student discounts are available with a valid I.D. Call the Quick Center Box Office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396 to purchase tickets. For more information, visit the website, www.quickcenter.com.