The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam (RCO), currently rated by Gramophone magazine as the world’s greatest orchestra, visits South Africa as part of its world tour to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
The RCO will play one symphony concert each in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria and will participate in educational and community-related work in Cape Town, uMlazi Township and Soweto. The RCO’s South African tour – their first ever trip to Africa – is hosted by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations this year.
The RCO’s managing director, Jan Raes, says that the orchestra is looking forward to their tour of South Africa. “We are extremely happy and honoured for this opportunity to share our musical skills and passion with you, and we hope this will mark a lasting bond between the Netherlands and South Africa, a bond which will certainly enrich both our cultural heritages. We are very grateful to Bongani Tembe for inviting and realising this wonderful tour, and we look forward to delighting South African music lovers.”
KZN Philharmonic Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Bongani Tembe, comments “One of the joys of being South African is the celebration of diversity and the principle of sharing one’s resources which is embodied in the fundamentals of uBuntu – connoting ‘you are because I am’. The concept of uBuntu, which is embedded in the KwaZulu- Natal Philharmonic’s mission, is an important thread in the tapestry of South African society and mirrors the role of music globally as a unifying force.”
Mr Tembe expanded “As part of this global community, we decided to host the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO), undoubtedly one of the Netherland’s most important cultural ambassadors. In addition to the presentation of three symphony concerts, I am delighted that the RCO will also conduct workshops and education concerts in Cape Town, uMlazi Township and Soweto, to share their skills and inspire young South African musicians. This is sure to have a lasting impact on all who come into contact with this superb group of musicians. “
This South African tour marks the first step in a partnership between the two orchestras, as both believe that music has the power to unite people and can be effectively used to brand both countries positively around the world. The KZN Philharmonic salutes the RCO on their 125th anniversary.
Details of the RCO South African Tour:
Tickets are available from Computicket and range in price from R250 to R750.
For more information, see http://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/
(Performances with * are open to the public)
Sat 9 March, 12 – 2 p:m
Workshop with Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra musicians
*9th March, 8:00 pm:
Artscape Opera House, Cape Town
*10th March, 7:00 pm:
City Hall, Durban
11 March, 11.15am:
Workshop in uMlazi Township
Workshop at Playhouse with KZNPO Cadets
11 March, 3:00pm and 4.15 pm:
Peter the Wolf at Soweto Theatre
*12th March, 7:30 pm:
State Theatre, Pretoria
Conductor: Charles Dutoit
Soloist: Janine Jansen, Violin
Conductor: Charles Dutoit
Soloist: Janine Jansen, Violin
Programme:
Johan Wagenaar Overture “Cyrano de Bergerac” op. 23
Peter I. Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, op. 35
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1, op.68
About the RCO World Tour:
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will be celebrating 125 years of outstanding musicianship with numerous performances for audiences all over the globe. Their World Tour in 2013 will visit six continents: Africa, Asia, North South America, Australia and Europe – the very first orchestra ever to do so. To find out about the full tour, visit http://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/ and click on the 125 tab.
URL: http://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/en/
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Author: Fiona Gordon from The Famous Idea Trading Co.. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.
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Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Mariss Jansons Photographer: pic by Ronald Knapp smlPhotographer:
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