The Gauteng Opera has staged many performances throughout Joburg’s northern suburbs, and specifically in the Midrand and Fourways area, this October.
One such performance was when the Gauteng Opera, once again, captivated the residents of Merrow Down Country Club, based in the suburb of Magaliessig, and left the audience calling out for more than one encore: “One more. Just one more,” they shouted.
This is the second time the Magaliessig residential estate’s Vera Harvey has organised for the Gauteng Opera to perform for the Merrow Down residents.
In April, the residents raised R41 000 for the Gauteng Opera, which, is battling financially.
In addressing the audience at the evening October performance, the Gauteng Opera’s CEO, Arnold Cloete, extended thanks to the Merrow Down residents for their support. Merrow Down resident and chairperson of the Magaliessig Action Forum (MAF), Mary Hanna, explained that the two performances in October raised a whopping R50 000 – R30 000 of which was donated to the Gauteng Opera and
R20 000 to the forum.
“This was an incredible result and due largely to the organisational capabilities of Vera Harvey and the team who worked under her direction,” said Hanna, and she further expressed great appreciation to
the residents of Merrow Down for their ‘magnificent support’.
“MAF is extremely grateful to Vera for having such a wonderful idea to ‘partner’ Gauteng Opera and MAF in a joint fundraising event, and Gauteng Opera was most amenable to participate in what has proved to be an extremely successful event.”
Harvey further commented on how the Gauteng Opera ‘happily and unselfishly’ provided the platform to raise money for another cause, which, in this case, was MAF.
Hanna described the performances as ‘absolutely magnificent’ and said they ‘demonstrated the amazing musical capabilities of the singers and the pianist’.
“They brought a tremendous amount of happiness and appreciation to all who were fortunate enough to attend,” said Hanna. Harvey described the Gauteng Opera as ‘an amazing group of hugely talented
people providing happiness and enjoyment to so many.’
“There were so many goosebumps moments for me,” said Harvey. One of those ‘goosebumps moments’
for many was when Gauteng Opera paid tribute to the courageous efforts and work that Hanna does for the action forum, and all Magaliessig residents, by singing Hero to her.
It was a fitting tribute to a community member who embodies the definition of an active citizen and puts the community first.
It was a moment that left the audience’s hearts warmed as the evening performance was brought to a close.
Catch the Gauteng Opera in action in Kyalami on 14 November at 7pm as they perform the La Trinita Dinner Concert at La Trinita Restaurant.
Details: latrinita@mweb.co.za or call 011 466 7949.
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