Mini choral festival

STAFF REPORTER

number of choral masterpieces performed by top South African choirs can be heard at Bishops in Rondebosch from Thursday May 12 to Saturday May 14.

Inspiring works, ranging from the gripping St John Passion by J S Bach, to a selection of Sergei Rachmaninov’s haunting Vespers (‘All-Night Vigil’) can be heard.

Participating choirs include the Cape Soloists’ Choir, Tygerberg Children’s Choir, Cape Chamber Choir, Tygerberg City Choir and the Cape Town Youth Choir. Well-known choral conductors, such as Leon Starker, Hennie Loock, Jaco Dippenaar and Linda Claassen, will lead their respective choirs with the internationally acclaimed Norwegian choral pedagogue and conductor, Kåre Hanken, appearing as guest conductor with both the Cape Soloists Choir and the Cape Town Chamber Choir.

The first not-to-be-missed concert on May 12 features maestro Hanken conducting the Cape Soloists Choir and Camerata Tinta Barocca in a performance of the remarkable St John Passion by JS Bach. For this special performance, Hanken will include the original opening to the second part which is not often heard in concerts.

On May 13, three choirs can be heard in a concert, titled Romancing the Tone. The Tygerberg Children’s Choir, conducted by Hennie Loock, will enthrall the audience with their award-winning singing and the Tygerberg City Choir, conducted by Claassen, will perform Louis Vierne’s beautiful and not often heard, Messe Solennelle, Op.16, with Mario Nel at the organ. The Cape Town Chamber Choir’s programme will be conducted by Hanken.

In Nature and Humankind, the last concert on May 14, the Cape Soloists Choir, conducted by Dippenaar, and Cape Town Youth Choir, conducted by Starker, will treat the audience to a very special programme, which includes Knut Nystedt’s famous Three Motets and a selection from Rachmaninov’s Vespers (‘All-Night Vigil’).

All concerts take place in the Memorial Chapel on the grounds of Bishops and start at 7pm. Tickets can be booked at www.quicket.co.za

This mini choral festival forms part of the second International Choral Conductors’ Seminar, to be hosted in South Africa from Thursday May 12 to Sunday May 15.

For more information about the seminar, you can visit www.ccsinternational.co.za

* The CapeTowner is giving away two double tickets for the performance of the St John Passion on Thursday May 12, at 7pm. To stand a chance to win, SMS CTChoir, your name and contact details to 34445. SMSes cost R1.50.

Lines are open and will close on Sunday May 8, at midnight. Winners will be notified telephonically.