The DaPonte String Quartet’s first summer series, “Made in America,” arrives in time to help music lovers get in the spirit of Independence Day. The program is a veritable smörgåsbord of American composers, including a unique work by George Crumb. The quartet will perform the concert seven times in Denmark, Stonington, Harpswell, Boothbay, Tenant’s Harbor, Wells and South Bristol from June 24-July 24.

The program includes old friends like George Gershwin's gorgeous "Lullaby" and Randall Thompson's moving "Alleluia" (a choral piece re-worked for string quartet). Samuel Barber's well-loved “Adagio from String Quartet, Op. 11,” is “full of pathos and cathartic passion” that “rarely leaves a dry eye,” according to critics.

Concert-goers will also hear works that might be new to them: Earl Louis Stewart's fascinating fusion of blues and classical called “Blues Fugues” and, perhaps most intriguing, George Crumb's seminal work “Black Angels for Electric String Quartet: Thirteen Images from the Dark Land.” It explores the clash between the modern machine world and the world of nature, and it requires the musicians not just to play electric instruments but to chant in foreign languages, strike gongs, bow crystal wine glasses, and play using thimbles on their fingers.

“It’s a work that ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous,” violinist Ferdinand Liva said, adding that it’s more than a gimmick, as it has earned a solid place in string quartet repertoire.

During a tour of the east coast in April, the Quartet visited Crumb at his home in Pennsylvania and discussed their interpretation of the work with him. The 84-year-old composer also shared some of his thoughts on the 44-year-old composition. Among other things, he told them he no longer thought it should be played on electric instruments!

The DaPonte String Quartet moved to Maine 22 years ago and now performs over 40 concerts a year, year round from Presque Isle to Ogunquit. It was recently voted Best Music Group in Maine by the readers of Down East Magazine.

Performance information

June 24: Burnt Cove Church, 17 Airport Road, Stonington at 7 p.m. Tickets $20 through Opera House Arts, 207-367-2788.

June 28: Denmark Arts Center, 50 West Main Street, Denmark, 7:30 p.m. Tickets by donation, 207-452-2412.

July 1: Centennial Hall, 929 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 at www.daponte.org.

July 2: at Jackson Memorial Library, 71 Main St., Tenant’s Harbor at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 at www.daponte.org.

July 3: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Visitor Center, 132 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 at www.daponte.org.

July 9: Union Church, Route 129, South Bristol at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 at www.daponte.org.

July 10: Wells Reserve at Laudholm, 342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells at 7 p.m. Tickets from $15 at 207-646-1555.

For more information, visit the DaPonte String Quartet's website or call 207-529-4555.