MESSIAH, whose story line deals with the biblical nativity, the crucifixion and the resurrection, is regarded as the greatest masterpiece of music composed in England.
Performed in venues ranging from tiny community halls to the world’s leading concert venues, Messiah is celebrated every year in many parts of the world, since its debut 272 years ago.
Durban’s Playhouse Company has been an active player in this rich and historic tradition. This year, they will host a performance of Handel’s Magnum Opus on Easter Sunday, 20 April at the Opera Theatre.
It promises to be a festive Easter treat, featuring some of the country’s leading opera singers, accompanied by the Playhouse Company Chorale under choir master Gerhard Geist and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra with Naum Rosine as conductor.
Among the leading soloists performing will be soprano singer, Nozuko Teto, whose operatic roles include the Marschallin in Strauss ‘Der Rosenkavalier, Adina in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore and Madame Courtese in Rossini’s Il Viaggio a Reims.
Local opera singer Khumbuzile Dhlamini, who has appeared in concerts with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra throughout the country, and toured internationally with Opera Africa, performing in Mzilikazi Khumalo’s Princess Magogo, baritone, Aubrey Lodewyk, who has performed at the Cape Town Festival classical concert and also sang with the Gauteng Choristers, Bulgarian-born Violina Anguelov who has sung a wide range of principal mezzo soprano operatic roles, including Carmen at the Playhouse in 2010, and Stéfan Louw, a professional tenor with more than 30 full opera productions behind his name.
Tickets for the 3pm performance on 20 April range from R85 to R120, and are available through Computicket.
For information on block bookings contact 031 3699456 or email salescoordinator@playhousecompany.com.
