After three months of its loyal audiences only watching the musicians of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in Covid-19 video clips and clips on social media, the CPO is back in business – and its delighted to be there performing in six works in the Virtual National Arts Festival.
Due to Covid-19 constraints which limit the number of people in one place at one time, the works were carefully chosen to include almost every member of the CPO, all of whom have been raring to perform.
Included in the line up are the CPO’s two guest concertmasters Suzanne Martens and Farida Bacharova, as well as visiting Russian-German violinist Alissa Margulis who has been locked down here since March, and pianist Francois du Toit.
For the musicians it was a wonderful experience and, the excitement and being with their colleagues and performing with them was palpable.
“We are so pleased to be part of this groundbreaking arts festival,” says CEO of the CPO Louis Heyneman, “a collaboration that we have had over many years when it was held in Makhanda. Both teams – NAF and CPO – worked extremely hard and well to create what we think will be a fabulous festival, one we are delighted to anchor.”
The CPO concerts
• Wednesday, July 1
Mendelssohn Octet with guest violinist Alissa Margulis and guest concertmaster Farida Bacharova
Schubert Trout Quintet with pianist Francois du Toit, guest concertmaster Suzanne Martens Azra Isaacs (viola), Dane Coetzee (cello) and Roxane Steffen (double bass)
• Thursday, July 2
Mozart Divertimento K 136
Elgar Serenade for strings
Dvorak Serenade for winds and strings
• Sunday, July 5
Verdi Messa da Requiem, conducted by Perry So. This concert was a Duet Endowment Trust gala presented by the CPO and Cape Town Opera in 2018 and never fails to appeal. No charge for viewing this one!
Plus the CPO’s principal cello, Peter Martens, has also recorded all the Bach Cello Suites which can be heard individually over six days. They are introduced by Bernhard Gueller, principal guest conductor of the CPO, who as a former cellist himself in the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, has a natural affinity for these works. These take place from the start of the festival on June 25.
WHAT: Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at Virtual National Arts Festival
WHERE: The comfort of your own home #ConcertsFromHome
WHEN: See dates above
HOW: Festival passes, day passes and individual concert passes HERE
