A Durban classic returns with Winter Symphony

THERE is a superb line-up featured in the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2023 World Winter Symphony Season which runs at The Playhouse Opera every Thursday from June 8–19.

Commenting on the upcoming series, KZN Philharmonic’s chief executive and artistic director, Bongani Tembe, said, “As ever, we have honoured the longstanding traditions of our World Symphony Series, by assembling a guest roster of A-list artists, who join our dedicated orchestral musicians to bring our audience hours of musical enrichment. The season goes hand-in-glove with our commitment to community engagement and skills transfer among new-generation artists and learners.”

Also read:Former president Jacob Zuma attends DUT graduation ceremony

Polish conductor, Anna Sukowska-Migo, who won last year’s prestigious La Maestra Competition in Paris, opens the season with Gustav Mahler’s Blumine. This charming curtain opener is perfectly matched by Chausson’s delightful Poème for Violin and Orchestra, a graceful debut vehicle to introduce our opening concert’s soloist, Dutch violinist Rosanne Philippens.

The renowned Japanese maestro Yasuo Shinozaki makes a welcome return to the podium for the second concert on June 15. Bulgarian virtuoso Emmanuel Ivanov, winner of the Busoni Piano Competition, takes centre stage to perform Rachmaninoff’s iconic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini as the evening’s centrepiece. The second half of the evening is given over to one of the world’s most lavishly exotic music creations, Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade, based on the eastern fable of Arabian Nights.

Also read: SAPS spreads anti-drug awareness at local school

Daniel Boico takes the podium for the third concert on June 22. Conductor Lykele Temmingh brings the curtain down on the KZN Philharmonic’s Winter Season.

Each World Symphony Series concert starts at 19:00. KZN Philharmonic season tickets and bookings for individual concerts are available at Quicket outlets. There will be Tea and Symphony concerts for the final rehearsal every Thursday morning at 10.00 in the Playhouse Opera. Tickets are R50 for adults and R30 for pensioners and children five years and older. The bars are no longer open at the Playhouse, however, tea and coffee can be purchased prior to concerts and during interval.

For more information, call 031 369 9438 or email bookings@kznphil.org.za or visit www.kznphil.org.za.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.