Playhouse Opera: 7 – 28 June 2018
The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra is about to launch its four week 2018 Winter Season to run 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 (WSS) which was launched in Durban 22 years ago.
“We are excited to present the second leg of our 2018 World Symphony Series, with a roster of top flight international conductors and soloists to our concert platform, along with prominent South African artists, whilst continuing to carry out the KZN Philharmonic’s Orchestra’s broad mission of developing its dynamic artistic vision,” says Bongani Tembe, the Orchestra’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director.
“We continue to focus on offering music-making of the highest excellence to the city of Johannesburg. 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.”
Associated Guest Conductor Daniel Boico launches the Winter Season on 7 June with Beethoven’s powerful Egmont Overture. Written to accompany a performance of Goethe’s drama of the same title, it is one of the last works of the composer’s middle period, similar in style to the Fifth Symphony which predated it by two years. A superb showcase for award-winning Italian virtuoso, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, the statuesque grandeur of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor promises to be an exciting centrepiece to the evening’s programme, which concludes with a performance of the Symphony No 1 by the Russian composer, Alexander Borodin.
Conductor Brandon Philips makes his bow on the podium on 14 June with a programme of 19th Century German and French repertoire on. Robert Schumann’s Overture to his only Opera, Genoveva, makes a welcome appearance as the evening’s curtain-raiser, before the renowned Russian soloist, Alexander Buzlov takes the spotlight to perform Édouard Lalo Cello Concerto in D minor. Brahms’ Symphony No 3 rounds off the programme.
Pretoria-born maestro Conrad van Alphen opens the programme on 21 June with a performance of Mendelssohn’s mercurial Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture. Taking centre-stage, the celebrated Russian soloist Nikita Boriso-Glebsky takes on the challenges of Sibelius’s towering Violin Concerto, and the season’s third programme rounds off a with Dvořák: Symphony No 5 in F Major Op 76,
The season concludes on 28 June with the Norwegian conductor, Catherine Winnes on the podium for a programme featuring Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture, Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, and a potpourri of vocal music. This showcases a quartet of soloists namely Nozuko Teto, Siphokazi Maphumulo, Ntokozo Mhlongo, Khulekhani Khumalo and Andile Dlamini together with four of Durban’s finest choirs – Prince Mshiyeni Choir, Thokozani Choral Society, Clermont Community Choir and the Durban Symphonic Choir. 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 Bokwe, Mnomiya and Sibisi. An uplifting end to the season. This concert will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of our former president Nelson Mandela.
Season tickets and booking for individual concerts in KZN Philharmonic’s 2018 Winter Season 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 ONE
Date: Thurs 7 June
Venue: Playhouse Opera
Conductor: Daniel Boico
Soloist: Antonio Pompa Baldi
Featured instrument: Piano
Programme: Beethoven: Egmont Overture; Beethoven Piano Concerto No3 in c minor, Op37; Borodin Symphony No1 in E-Flat major
Pre concert lecture: Dr Teddy Pillay.
Tea and symphony: Enjoy the morning rehearsal on Thursday at 10am
Tickets R35 for adults and pensioners, and R15 for learners and students
Concert TWO
Date: Thurs 14 June
Venue: Playhouse Opera
Conductor: Brandon Phillips
Soloist: Alexaner Buzlov
Featured instrument: Cello
Programme: Schumann Overture to Genoveva, Op 81; Lalo Violincello Concerto in d minor; Brahms Symphony No3 in F Major, Op 90
Pre concert lecture: Dr Teddy Pillay.
Tea and symphony: Enjoy the morning rehearsal on Thursday at 10am.
Tickets R35 for adults and pensioners, and R15 for learners and students
Concert THREE
Date: Thurs 21 June
Venue: Playhouse Opera
Conductor: Conrad van Alphen
Soloist: Nikita Boriso Glebsky
Featured instrument: Violin
Programme: Mendelssohn Overture to a Midsummer Nights Dream, Op 21; Sibelius Violin Concerto in d minor, Opus 47; Dvořák: Symphony No 5 in F Major Op 76.
Pre concert lecture: Dr AJ Bethke
Tea and symphony: Enjoy the morning rehearsal on Thursday at 10am
Tickets R35 for adults and pensioners, and R15 for learners and students
Concert FOUR
Date: Thurs 21 June
Venue: Playhouse Opera
Conductor: Catherine Winnes
Soloist: Various
Featured instrument: Voice
Programme: potpourri of vocal classics
Pre concert lecture: Simon Miliken
NO – tea and symphony
