KZN Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate Madiba as they close their 2018 World Symphony Series Winter Season
Playhouse Opera: 28 June 2018
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, eThekwini’s world-class orchestra, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of our former President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in a concert finale of their World Symphony Series (WSS) on Thursday 28 June 2018 – a glorious tribute to the legacy of Nelson Mandela featuring the KZN Philharmonic and three of the city’s best loved choirs – Clermont Community Choir, Durban Symphonic Choir and Thokozani Choral Society, and solo vocalists under the baton of Cathrine Winnes, which closes the four week 2018 Winter Season on Thursday 28 June.
The season has been running in the Playhouse Opera Theatre, each Thursday, between 7 and 28 June, starting at 19h30 as part of the Orchestra’s renowned World Symphony Series which was launched in Durban 22 years ago.
The season concludes on 28 June with the Norwegian conductor, Cathrine Winnes on the podium for a programme featuring Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture, Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, and a potpourri of vocal music. Two great Handel items – the imposing Coronation Anthem, ‘Zadok the Priest’, and Merab’s haunting aria, ‘Author of Peace’, from the oratorio ‘Saul’ – combine with the deeply moving Lacrimosa from Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ and Haydn’s exhilarating ‘The Heavens Are Telling’ from The Creation – to offset three visceral contemporary items by South Africa composers: Xhosa hymn-writer John Knox Bokwe’s ‘Plea for Africa’; decorated University of KwaZulu-Natal professor Phelelani Mnomiya’s powerful setting of Madiba’s famous, “It’s In Your Hands … simply called ‘Madiba’ and composer and a former student at the University of Zululand, Qinisela Sibisi’s ‘Credo from the Zulu Mass’ in B-flat Major – a piece influenced specifically by works of Joseph Haydn.
The concert showcases five Durban soloists namely Nozuko Teto, Siphokazi Maphumulo, Ntokozo Mhlongo, Khulekhani Khumalo and Andile Dlamini together with three of Durban’s finest choirs –Thokozani Choral Society, Clermont Community Choir and the Durban Symphonic Choir. The choirs have been working to get performance ready under the musical direction of Clermont Community Choir conductor, Brian Msizi Mnyandu.
“Nelson Mandela said “Music and dancing makes me one with world”. I too believe in the role of the Arts to connect us as one human being whether we are white or black, young and old.
I have always believed that the role of the arts is not restricted to entertainment. In a world that is polarised and too often divided along racial and ideological lines, society profits by investing in the arts which is an effective vehicle for promoting an appreciation of our differences and helps to strengthen our bonds of understanding and common humanity – what we call ‘UBUNTU’ in South Africa” says Bongani Tembe, the Orchestra’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director.
“We continue to focus on offering music-making of the highest excellence. This endeavour dovetails with our community engagement programmes. By presenting a series of world-class concerts, as well as promoting transfer of skills to young musicians of all races, the KZN Philharmonic remains committed to enriching the cultural life of our citizens.”
Tickets to KZN Philharmonic’s 2018 Winter Season are through Computicket. Call 0861 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com. For more information call 031-369 9438, email bookings@kznphil.org.za or visit www.kznphil.org.za.
Listings:
Concert FOUR
Date: Thurs 28 June
Venue: Playhouse Opera
Time: 19h30
Conductor: Catherine Winnes / Brian Msizi Mnyandu.
Soloists: Nozuko Teto,
Siphokazi Maphumulo,
Ntokozo Mhlongo,
Khulekani Khumalo and
Andile Dlamini
Choirs: Clermont Community Choir,
Durban Symphonic Choir,
Thokozani Choral Society
Programme: Beethoven Fidelio Overture, Op. 72
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90, “Italian”
Handel Coronation Anthem No. 1, “Zadok the Priest”
Handel Author of Peace from Saul
Bokwe Plea for Africa
Mnomiya Madiba
Sibisi Credo from the Zulu Mass in B-Flat Major
Mozart (Süssmayr) Lacrimosa from Requiem
Haydn The Heavens are Telling The Glory of God from The Creation
NO morning tea and symphony
