OPUS 216

Went down an *actual* rabbit hole this week with the music of Bad Bunny and I am converted. 🐰 We found a couple of charts to try and gave ‘em a read before tonight’s beautiful Persian wedding downtown… looking forward to the halftime show tomorrow. “The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love.”

When the orchestra slays 🤘🏼#ledzeppelin #livemusic

Happy Tuesday! So much to swoon about with Cat + Brian’s gorgeous rooftop wedding at @trusscleveland on Friday night! But first, a couple of vendor shoutouts and some serious gratitude: so, *right* as we got the cue that Cat was ready to walk down the aisle, a huge surprise gust of wind nearly lifted our stands off the ground and launched the sheet music towards Anna’s cello. If it hadn’t been for @oliviadwenger and her assisting photographer, Claire, I don’t know what we would have done. She sprung over, helped us secure our pages quickly, and then hopped into place to get the shots she needed. Impressive! And, seriously, Claire – I owe you a coffee! Or a Cleveland Bagel, or anything you want! You saved the moment. Also, we’ve done a handful of events with @engagedwithnora , but this was *my* (Ariel) first ceremony with her team, personally, and they are simply fantastic. Loved the itinerary and all of the communication and clear cues! And thanks to @clemusicgrp and their lighting team for snagging this video. People ask us ALL THE TIME for video or photo samples and it’s really so hard to get great content when we are in the performance moment. We’re coming out of one massive week and heading into another… ‘tis the season! Dear clients, emails may take a day or two for a reply, but just know we’re out here trying to make lots of folks happy with live music. #opus216 #ido #theknot #northeastohioweddings #clevelandweddings #clevelandevents #stringquartet #ceremonyinspo #ceremonymusic #livemusic #strings #romantic #weddingmusic #thisisCLE #clegram #truss #rooftopwedding #engagedwithnora #clevelandweddingplanner #atlast #ettajames #ceremony #cleveland #love

Introducing.. Musician Spotlight: Meet the Artists Who Bring Our Work To Life! Cellist Katarina Elise has become a central part of our ensemble over the last year, from solo performances at wineries and social events, to jamming on huge stages with us for the Baldassarre Rock Orchestra. Her personality is effervescent and her musical journey is fascinating. You should know her! “I’m from Cleveland Heights, but have studied in London (Royal Academy of Music), Cleveland Institute of Music, Julliard’s school in Tianjin China, and now Michigan, where I’m working on a doctorate in cello performance at University of Michigan, commuting back to CLE weekly to perform with OPUS 216 and sub with the Cleveland Orchestra! It’s a fun life! OPUS 216 has been a special part of my work: performing and collaborating with players that have been trained in such different styles and mindsets has given me the freedom to trust there is no wrong way to make music, and I always learn something new from the people I play with! I already listen to a ton of different genres and am always trying to find new artists (Chappell Roan was my top artist in 2020 when she was still working at McDonalds), but an album I never tire of is Talking Book by Stevie Wonder, and any classical work by Sergei Taneyev. At the moment, I’m working on a research project for my dissertation where I’m transcribing Norwegian folk and art songs for solo cello, and I’m loving the excuse to play and listen to them all the time! One piece that means a lot to me is Ernest Bloch’s “Schelomo.” I performed it with the Juilliard Orchestra in Tianjin, and it sort of became my diary during my time there, and holds so many memories for me. And as for fun facts: I can nap anywhere! I normally fall asleep before takeoff and wake up when the plane hits the ground. “ Catch Kat at our many events this summer (which you can now find on our calendar!!!) 🎻🎼

Montessori + Cello = 🤝 Early childhood programming will never *not* be a thing for us. Also, note my third baby and her very unique way of grooving. lol 🤣

Music fills a space and instantly changes how it feels is exactly what Opus 216 brings. Opus 216 will be creating the atmosphere for our Cocktail Hour at The Next Chapter, and we could not be more excited. Their sound is elegant, elevated, and effortlessly beautiful, setting the tone for an evening that guests will feel the moment they arrive. They are not just musicians, they are artists who know how to create an experience. As guests gather, connect, and take in the beauty around them, Opus 216 will be weaving it all together in the most unforgettable way. We are so grateful for their sponsorship and for sharing their incredible talent with us. We cannot wait for you to experience them on Wednesday 🤍 Planner and Design @sirpillasoirees Host @basilplace Caterer @atasteofexcellence Bartender and Photobooth @thirstyfilly Photographer @thecannonsphotography Videographer @ashley_mccomb Florist @passifloragirl Rentals @prrentals.co Sound, lighting, Production @ssprodentertainment Dance Floor and Wrap @limelightsentertain Drapes @drapedbyjoan Linens and Valences @lniquelinens Stationery and Signage @brittneynicholedesigns Entertainment @official_rdna Tent Rental @aablerents Transportation @a1mrlimo Golf Carts/Parking @greatlakesvalet Cocktail Entertainment @opus216 Guest Portraits @mariejadeart Calligrapher @looseleafcreative

Favorite courthouse cocktail hour set-up EV-ER. Courthouse peeps, this is your sign to stick us in the middle of the dance floor with killer sound and lighting and let your guests enjoy the music from above! Hoping everyone client and coordinator with us for Courthouse and City Hall weddings this year finds this post! lol more, please… Thank you to @djnibal_cleveland @haddad.entertainment and Marie-Louise with @sobloom for flawless execution and amplification support + lighting. Kevin and Melissa hit a home run on Saturday night and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I saw a couple pull off a night this gorgeous while still looking totally relaxed and unbothered. #couplesgoals

Four musicians, 90 minutes, no sheet music, minimal notes, one track. Suma Studio. ❤️ Creating from scratch in the studio can feel intimidating, but it’s something we’ve become accustomed to in recent years. Trusting each other’s playing and simultaneously digging into an artist’s vision is both rewarding and not without challenges! This was a good afternoon. Suma Studios has developed a special place in our heart for some of our favorite recent projects, and January’s session for a local artist’s EP was a fun creative journey. Can’t wait to be back!

A Friday night at Playhouse Square. And to think they almost bulldozed to this place in the 90s… Congrats, Audrey and Griffin! Your unique requests were a super fun project for us! ✨

Under a ceiling of stars at Playhouse Square ✨ A celestial celebration where every detail — from moonlit tables to perfectly plated courses — was designed with intention and served with care. An unforgettable night. A love story center stage. Coordination | @ohhelloeventplanning Photo | @milkshopphoto Video | @sweptawayvideos Venue | @playhousesquare Catering + Cake | @driftwoodcatering DJ | @clemusicgrp @thebeardeddj Florist | @nppdesigns Hair | @clevelandbeautycollective Makeup | @kelliethomsonmua Strings | @opus216 Linens | @lniquelinens @sarah_lniquelinens #PlayhouseSquare #ClevelandWeddings #OhioWeddings #LuxuryWedding #DriftwoodCatering

Snuck in a first read of ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’ by Olivia Dean at @thevanakendistrict - definitely an ear worm for the year ahead with its heavy bossanova style. This one is fun!

It’s taken nearly 15 years, but performing for our first Persian wedding this weekend was made extra special by our collaboration with an incredible Iranian musician and Daf virtuoso, Hossein. Hossein had custom trio arrangements created of traditional Persian songs for the couple’s entrance and key ceremonial moments. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire service, unsure of what was coming next- the ceremony was full of unique rituals and much of it was performed in Farsi. The Sofreh Aghd (the ceremonial spread) was made to look like a garden with honey, flowers, a mirror, spices and more. The rituals and differences present in the various faith and cultural traditions of the weddings we perform for are part of what makes this some of my favorite work as a musician. It’s truly a privilege to play a small role in these experiences. Watch until the end to see Hossein lead the couple out in a celebration with solo Daf. Magical. Can’t wait ‘til the next one. @ohhelloeventplanning you guys killed it. Favorite recent ceremony- what an adventure.