Former NWU voice lecturer returning to Potch for classical performance

 The soprano Deirdré Blignaut-Rautenbach who is a former voice lecturer at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus will be returning to Potchefstroom to perform an opera concert at Maison de Fleur on Friday, 11 November 2016 at 20:00.

In August Maison de Fleur launched its new series of classical evenings with the tenor Stéfan Louw to great acclaim.  Patrons enjoyed the finer things in life: good music, good food, good wine, and good company.  The concert on 11 November is going to be no different.

“As a lover of classical music my aim is to provide opportunity for classical performers to practice their art,” says André who is the owner of Maison de Fleur. “I am very excited to welcome Deirdré back to Potchefstroom for this one evening only performance of opera.”

Blignaut-Rautenbach, who studied music with Prof Werner Nel, Mimi Coertse, and Eugenie Chopin, started her career in opera in 1995.  As one of the country’s foremost concert and oratorio singers her repertoire includes Bach’s Johannes-Passion and cantatas such as Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, Ein feste Burg is unser Gott, as well as Handel’s Messiah and Laudate pueri Dominum (Ps 112) and Bach’s Coffee Cantata. Operatic roles include her Pro Musica debut as First Lady in Die Zauberflöte as well as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Mimi in La Bohème, and Adina in L’Elisir d’amore. She recently made her directorial debut with Sempre Opera’s Bastien und Bastienna.

Joining her for the concert on 11 November will be tenor Stéfan Louw of whom the Sunday Times wrote in 2006: “His voice should be declared a national treasure.”  Louw’s career in opera spans 20 years with more than 300 opera performances locally and internationally, and more than 150 performances of oratorio and gala concerts.

Tickets for the classical evening at Maison de Fleur on Friday, 11 November at 20:00 is available at the house of flowers for R320 per person, and includes finger-snacks and wine.  If you cannot get to the house of flowers at 223 Walter Sisulu Drive to book your tickets you can call André on 062 255 1004 or send an e-mail to andre@maisondefleur.co.za.