Strong Women’s presence for Women’s month
KZN Philharmonic Early Spring Season 2026
Playhouse Opera: Thurs 20 Aug, 27 Aug and 3 Sept at 7pm
Three spectacular Thursday evenings of masterful music! The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra’s three-concert 2026 Early Spring Season runs in The Playhouse Opera on Thursday 20, 27 August and 3 September, starting at 7pm.
There is a strongly female presence throughout the season, to honour Women’s month – for both August concerts, both conductors and soloists are women.
‘We invite our family of music lovers in Durban and across KZN, to join us for our exciting Early Spring Season,’ says Bongani Tembe, KZN Philharmonic’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director. ‘The season invites lifelong aficionados and first-time symphony attendees alike to step into the auditorium and experience the unmatched magic of live orchestral music.’
‘Our distinguished guest artists are set to collaborate with our resident musicians in making music for the delight of our dedicated KZN Philharmonic Orchestra audience. As always, the KZN Phil season forms an intrinsic part of the orchestra’s ongoing school visits, community engagement, and skills transfer programmes, all geared towards reaching out to new-generation artists and audiences alike,’ Tembe added.
The season ignites on 20 August under the baton of brilliant Polish conductor Barbara Dragan, whose dynamic podium presence has captivated global audiences. Renowned Russian pianist Zlata Chochieva joins the orchestra to essay the technical challenges of Brahms’s colossal Piano Concerto No. 2—a work balancing thunderous power with intimate beauty. The evening culminates in a radiant celebration of life with Dvořák’s joyous Symphony No. 8, featuring rich Bohemian folk melodies and a blazing, brass-fueled finale.
On 27 August, the visionary maestra Debora Waldman leads an extraordinary evening, which might fancifully be dubbed as Rhythm, Romance, and Radiance. Spanning the rich landscapes of Europe, the programme opens with the syncopated rhythms of Kodály’s high-octane Dances of Galánta. Superstar violin virtuoso Lidia Baich then takes centre stage for Bruch’s seductive G Minor Violin Concerto, beguiling listeners through lush, melting melodies. The night concludes with the sweeping grandeur of Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5, famous for its magnificent, life-affirming ‘Swan Hymn.’
The season’s grand finale takes place on 3 September as distinguished conductor Leon Bosch guides the orchestra through a spectacular closing programme of classical treasures. The night opens with the rollicking operatic flair of Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture. Next, the globally acclaimed piano duo of Xin Wang and Florian Koltun take the stage for Mozart’s spirited Concerto for Two Pianos, a sparkling musical chess match. The season concludes on a high plateau with Mozart’s consummate Symphony No. 39, sending audiences out into the night feeling spiritually and emotionally exhilarated.
Season Tickets available through KZN Phil office on 031 369 9438 or info@kznphil.org.za and individual tickets through Quicket. For those preferring not to self drive to the concerts, there is a park and ride bus service offered from major arterial points: Upper Highway (St Agnes Church, dep 17h50) North Coast (Grace Family Church, dep 18h10); Westville (Westville Senior Primary, dep 18h10) and Berea (Caister Lodge, dep 18h20). Bus tickets though 031 369 9438 or info@kznphil.org.za and individual tickets through Quicket.
KZN Philharmonic tickets are available at Quicket outlets. For more information, call 031-369 9438, email info@kznphil.org.za, or visit www.kznphil.org.za.
Good to Know
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 19:00
Venue: Playhouse Opera Theatre, 231 Anton Lembede Street, Durban
Conductor: Barbara Dragan
Soloist: Zlata Chochieva, piano
Programme: Brahms Piano Concerto No 2
Dvorak Symphony No 8
Date: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Time: 19:00
Venue: Playhouse Opera Theatre, 231 Anton Lembede Street, Durban
Conductor: Debora Waldman
Soloist: Lidia Baich, violin
Programme: Kodaly Dances of Galanta
Bruch Violin Concerto No 1
Sibelius Symphony No 5
Date: Thursday, 3 September 2026
Time: 19:00
Venue: Playhouse Opera Theatre, 231 Anton Lembede Street, Durban
Conductor: Leon Bosch
Soloists: Xin Wang and Florian Koltun, on two pianos
Programme: Rossini Barber of Seville Overture
Mozart Concert for two pianos
Mozart Symphony No 39.
KZN Philharmonic Early Spring Season
