TOPSHAM — “Happy Birthday, Guiseppe,” the DaPonte String Quartet’s December concert series, honors Italian Romantic composer Guiseppe Verdi’s bicentennial with performances of his “String Quartet in E Minor” in Thomaston, Damariscotta, Portland and Topsham.

The “String Quartet in E Minor” is the only piece of chamber music written by Verdi, who is best known for his operas. In fact, Verdi wrote the quartet during a break in the production of “Aida.”

Also on the program are works by Haydn and John Adams. Unlike Verdi, Haydn wrote a huge number of string quartets (more than 80). DSQ will be performing his “Quartet in F Minor.” Known as “The Razor,” it got its nickname from a rumor that Haydn traded his original manuscript for a pair of razors. Adams’ “Book of Alleged Dances” was written in 1994 for string quartet and a pre-recorded piano. It contains 10 dances with such humorous titles as “Toot Nipple” and “Alligator Escalator.”

Verdi was actually born in 1813, but the DaPonte Quartet will be performing “Happy Birthday, Guiseppe!” at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 at St. John’s Church in Thomaston; Dec. 7 at the Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta; Dec. 8 at the Public Library in Portland; and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Mid- Coast Presbyterian Church, 84 Main St., Topsham.

Tickets are $20 at www.DaPonte.org or by calling 529-4555.