Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School

Powerful new choral work, ‘Mother of God’, to premiere at Epworth’s ‘Songs of the Rose’ concert

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The Epworth High School Choir will premiere a new South African work, Mother of God. Photo: Supplied

A POWERFUL new work by South African composer, Stephen Carletti, will be premiered at the Songs of the Rose concert at the Epworth Chapel on Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 21 at 6.45 pm, writes ESTELLE SINKINS. Continue reading →

Meet Colin Hele: the man who keeps Maritzburg’s pipe organ in tune

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Colin Hele, pictured here with his wife, Rose, has been taking care of the pipe organ in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall since 1976. The couple recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

TheLuvvie.com’s Estelle Sinkins chats to Colin Hele, the man who keeps the pipe organ in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall in tune. Continue reading →

Enjoy seasonal favourites in ‘Christmas’ in the Maritzburg City Hall

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The Drakensberg Boys Choir. Photo: Jonathan Burton

THE Pietermaritzburg City Hall will come alive with the spirit of Christmas when Music Revival hosts the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir in a special festive season concert at 7pm on Tuesday, November 29.

Simply titled Christmas, the concert is being co-ordinated by Christopher Duigan and Brad Glasspoole. Continue reading →

‘Christmas’ treat for music fans as David Orr prepares to play Maritzburg City Hall’s magnificent pipe organ

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David Orr will be playing the magnificent pipe organ during Music Revival’s Christmas concert in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Photo: Supplied

Estelle Sinkins speaks to David Orr, who admits he cannot wait to sit down and play the magnificent pipe organ in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Tuesday, November 29.

Epworth Shool’s head of music and culture will be accompanying the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir in Music Revival’s concert, Christmas. Continue reading →

Opera stars, Sibongile Mngoma and Sandile Mabaso, to delight audiences in Joburg

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Sibongile Mngoma

Sibongile Mngoma.

TWO of the shining lights of the South African opera scene – Sibongile Mngoma (soprano) and Sandile Mabaso (tenor) –  will be performing in the main hall of the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, at 7 pm on July 28.

The duo will be performing arias and duets from the world’s most beautiful operas. Sigongile will be singing arias from Puccini’s La Boheme and Tosca and Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutti; while Sandile will be singing from Massenet’s Manon and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’Amour. They will be accompanied by Marten van Wyk on piano.

Tickets for the Opera Duo concert are R120 (concessions R80) at http://www.webtickets.co.za. Proceeds from this concert will be used to upgrade the music department. Continue reading →

Christmas concert: Beverley Chiat to perform in Maritzburg

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Beverley Chiat

COLORATURA soprano, Beverley Chiat, will be performing in the Christmas concert in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Thursday, December 3. ESTELLE SINKINS spoke to her ahead of the event which also features the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir and concert pianist, Christopher Duigan.

You have been a regular visitor to the KZN midlands over the past few years, what do you love about performing here?
There are many wonderful things about performing here: the people are friendly and welcoming; I get to sing with amazing musicians like the KZN Phil and Christopher Duigan; and then I stay at the best guesthouse called ‘Fountains’ which has become like a second home.
Have you performed with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and Drakensberg Boys Choir before?
I have sung with the KZN Phil quite a number of times in the past, including in their productions of Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, a Valentine’s Day Concert and most recently in Carmina Burana.
I also sang in an Italian Opera concert with them earlier this year at the beautiful Pietermaritzberg City Hall.
This is my first opportunity to sing with the Drakensberg Choir so I’m thrilled about that!
What will you be performing at the concert?
I’ll be singing sacred works including a piece from The Messiah, some beautiful Christmas carols, Ave Maria and a lovely Christmas piece by Von Weber.
What is your favourite operatic role and why? And do you have a favourite composer?
One of my favourite roles is Gilda in Rigoletto by Verdi as she sings beautiful music.
My favourite composer is Mozart as my voice is suited to his writing. I find his writing clean and precise and the drama and characterisation are very apparent in the music.
I understand that you enjoy singing Jewish folk music — how did this come about and what do you love about it?
Yes, I have a fairly large repertoire of Yiddish Folk Songs. I grew up knowing a couple of them but was, for the most part, introduced to them by the musicologist, Fay Singer, and from a 10-year involvement in the Annual Yiddish Song Festival, of which I was a founding member. It took place at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.
You teach singing, why is it important to you to share your knowledge with others?
Teaching is very rewarding. I teach younger. and older adults. I believe it’s important for every person wanting to pursue a career in singing or even those people who enjoy singing in choirs, to have a safe and healthy technique upon which they can rely.
Singing is also very therapeutic on many levels. It helps people with their confidence and can be a great outlet to one’s frustrations.
So, for me, teaching is not only about teaching a technique but giving people a space where they can focus on themselves instead of everyone around them, connect with their true voices and, in the process, a deeper part of themselves.
When did you first begin singing? And when did you realise that you wanted to do operatic work?
I started singing around the age of eight when I took guitar lessons at school. I realised when I had my first singing lesson at the University of Cape Town Opera School that I loved this way of singing. Before that I thought I would train my voice for musical theatre.
It’s the festive season, how will you be spending your December? Will you be taking time off to be with family and friends or will you be working?
I’ll be doing some singing work but will definitely be spending time with loved ones. I have a friend visiting from abroad which I’m looking forward to. I hope to take a little time off to go away locally as well.
NEED TO KNOW
THE Christmas concert, which gets underway at 7 pm on Thursday, is presented by Parklane SuperSpar, in association with Christopher Duigan’s Music Revival and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, and sponsored by the City of Pietermaritzburg, CPW Printers and ABI.
The orchestra, conducted by Daniel Walshaw, will play a section of Christmas favourites including Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Fantasy; and the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir will sing seasonal music including selections from Stella Natalis, a work for choir and large orchestra by Welsh composer, Karl Jenkins.
The choir will also lead the audience in the singing of traditional carols accompanied by the famous City Hall organ.
Tickets, ranging from R130 to R200 (with discounts for pensioners (R120) and students and children (R80), are available at Parklane SuperSpar’s Coffee Shop. Phone 033 342 3487.
There is secure parking in the City Hall, the Tatham Art Gallery and Bessie Head Library precincts.