Classical trio attracts attention for looks and music

Kirk Baird

Friday, Dec. 1, 2000 | 11:36 a.m.

What: "Rising Stars of Classical Music," featuring the Eroica Trio, Jubliant Sykes and John Bayless.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Where: UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.

Cost: $25, $35, $45.

Info: Call 895-2787.

There's no denying that looks matter when it comes to music. From pop to country, the charts are filled with entertainers who are gifted beyond their vocal prowess.

It seems classical music isn't immune to this trend, either.

Certainly cellist Sara Sant'- Ambrogio knows that. Comprising one third of the Eroica Trio, along with pianist Erika Nickrenz and violinist Adela Pena, the three have been gaining notice in the classical music world as much for their musicianship as their appearance.

"It's incredibly flattering that people think we're attractive and actually print it in newspapers and magazines," said Sant'Ambrogio from her home in New York, where the trio is based. "But it's certainly not the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror."

The Eroica Trio, along with American baritone Jubilant Sykes and pianist John Bayless, perform Saturday at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.

Still, it's nearly impossible not to notice them, especially when given the usual stereotype of classical musicians -- especially chamber orchestras -- as being stodgy old men.

"We're not stodgy, we're not old and we're not men," Sant'- Ambrogio said with a laugh.

What they are, however, are groundbreakers, especially when it comes to the prevailing notion that women can't be pretty and talented.

"(The media) almost always says we're attractive, but we play even better," Sant'Ambrogio said. "It's a shame they have to use the word 'but,' as if it's strange and unusual that people could actually be somewhat attractive and also really hard-working, talented and intelligent in the female gender."

And that idea -- if someone's not attractive, they've somehow missed out -- is something the trio is trying to combat.

"We hope the message young people get is that you can enjoy being healthy and looking and dressing nicely while garnering respect for your discipline and talent, hard work intelligence and achievements," she said.

Ultimately, as Sant'Ambrogio said, it's talent that matters. And Myron Martin, director of UNLV's Performing Arts Center, said the Eroica Trio has plenty to spare.

"Not only are they consummate musicians, but they are changing the face of classical music and the way people perceive it," Martin said.

Which is not the way it used to be for them.

Founded in 1986 while the three attended the Julliard School, thirtysomething Sant'- Ambrogio said the trio came together "because we fell in love with each other's playing as little kids and we just made a decision that we wanted to play together for the rest of our lives."

Taking their name from Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, at first the trio found success elusive. "At one point I remember we were constantly on the 'rising-star' series," she said. "I remember one time thinking, 'When are we going to rise? I mean, how long can we be rising?' "

Now they don't have that problem.

The threesome has been critically hailed. The Boston Globe said, "They are ... exactly what a chamber orchestra should be." The New York Times said, "They are at the same technical level (very high) and share an ardent, energetic and tightly coiled approach to playing."

In terms of popularity, the Eroica Trio has the No. 14 record, "Pasion," on Billboard's Top Classical Albums chart.

In other words, "They are the hottest chamber music group in the world today," Martin said.

Which makes the title of the show, "Rising Stars of Classical Music," a bit ironic. Something that didn't escape notice of Sant'- Ambrogio.

"I think we've risen," she said as she laughed.

Martin, however, said the concert's title was not to imply the trio nor Sykes and Bayless were up-and-coming performers, rather to say that these are artists whose popularity will only gain momentum in the years to come.

"It's my belief that people may attend this concert having never heard these people previously and will come back in the future and say, 'When are you going to bring back the Eroica Trio? When are you going to bring back Jubiliant Sykes? When are you going to bring back John Bayless?' "

And in that light, the "rising star" tag is OK with Sant'Ambrogio: "I'd always rather be rising than falling."

Kirk Baird

is an Accent feature writer. Reach him at 259-8801 or at kirk@lasvegassun.com.