Quartet Iberia and the Don Quixote Project: A Novel Musical Quest with the Merita Platform

Stories | May 27, 2025

Where heritage, story, and music meet on stage.

It was a privilege for the Merita Project podcast to welcome the members of Quartet Iberia, a professional string quartet based in Madrid. Comprised of Marta (first violin), Luis (second violin), Arnold (cello), and Aurora (viola), the Quartet Iberia has cultivated a stunning performance that integrates classical music with literature, drama, and storytelling. Their most recent project – a first-of-a-kind interpretation of Don Quixote – was just completed under their recent Athens residency, which was sponsored by the Merita platform and organized by the Theocharakis Foundation.

From Conservatory Friends to Professional Quartet

The story of Quartet Iberia is a story of lasting friendship and musical collaboration. Marta and Arnold recount that the roots of the quartet were planted over 15 years ago when they first met at conservatory and formed an initial ensemble. Their enthusiasm for music soon translated into a professional pursuit. With Aurora as a new addition, and thereafter Luis, Quartet Iberia was formed – an ensemble that combines technical brilliance with a passion for emotionally charged performance.

Storytelling Using Music

Iberia Quartet is distinctive in their own performance style. Rather than simply playing music, the group wishes to connect on a fundamental level with their listeners by building a story trajectory through their concerts. Their Don Quixote project, which draws inspiration from Spain’s best-loved book, is one of them. “We want to tell a strong story with universal values,” they explain, “and share it with the world through music.”

This revolutionary concert is far more than the typical string quartet concerts. It has spoken word, drama, singing, dance and African percussion rhythms. The musicians break down the fourth wall, interacting with the audience and inviting participation by voting on the musical items to be played in the second half of the concert. Each concert is therefore unique, shaped around the responses and emotions of the listeners.

An Athens Residency: A Source of Inspiration

The piece was written within an Athens residency, a city which the quartet were finding endlessly inspirational. Due to the support of the Theocharakis Foundation, the ensemble were fortunate to be able to engage in close working relationships with mentors like Katia Paschou, who introduced them to breathing exercises, stage movement, and performance voice. These were absolutely vital for the creation of the performance’s non-musical aspects. They also gratefully thanked Evangelia, a project coordinator, for her invaluable logistical and organizational assistance.

Beyond the Stage

It is made possible by Merita, a platform cofunded by the European Union. Designed to bring musicians, mentors, historic venues, and organizers together, Merita helps reimagine 21st-century classical performance. For Quartet Iberia, it has not only offered resources but also artistic freedom to create a vision that is as much about tradition as innovation.
The group also expressed appreciation to Fotis Papathanasiou, who believed in the project from the beginning, and the Kantakouzenos House, where one of the performances took place.

A Musical Book That Comes to Life

“We’re not just musicians. We are actors, singers, storytellers,” the quartet explains. Their Don Quixote project is like a musical book, where the music is intertwined with narrative and theatrical expression. The audience becomes part of the story, not just passive listeners but engaged participants.

In the second part of each concert, the pieces to be played are voted on by the members of the audience, so every concert is a one-time event. Featuring rarely performed pieces in string quartet contexts, like Mateo Flecha, Granados, and Finisterra, the quartet offers fresh interpretations within the classical genre.

Looking Ahead

Iberia Quartet hopes to share this project with Europeans and the entire world. “We think it’s a really strong project, and we’d like people all over to hear it,” they say. They mention further that they would also like to return to Greece, which had welcomed them home and provided good support in sharpening their craft.

As the episode concludes, the quartet invites listeners to hear one of their performances: “We can discuss it for hours, but it is not the same as experiencing it live.”

Their project is a vibrant demonstration of how classical music can evolve, remain close to tradition, and still resonate deeply with modern-day listeners thanks to initiatives like Merita.