RENÉE FLEMING GIVES BACK

The family of opera superstar gives computers to Addington Primary.

The KZN Philharmonic, on behalf of the Renée Fleming family, handed over two new computers to the pupils of Addington Primary School in Durban on April 13. The handover was followed by an education concert performed by the orchestra.

The gift of the computers came to bear following the highly successful Renée Fleming / KZN Philharmonic SA tour in 2009 which included a master class and a school visit in addition to the three countrywide concerts.

Ms Fleming’s interest in education, coupled with the orchestra’s own successful and long-running education and development programme, resulted in the addition of the master class and school visit to the tour’s itinerary. Addington Primary, which is a public school with around 1400 pupils mostly from disadvantaged communities, was visited by the world-renowned soprano’s family. In particular Ms Fleming’s daughters, Amelia and Sage and her brother, Edward, also a school teacher, interacted with the children. Amelia shared her experiences in American schools while Sage delighted everyone by agreeing to an impromptu request to sing for the children.

The family was so moved by this experience that they decided to donate two computers to the school. The decision to donate the computers was based on a needs request from the school.

Chief executive and artistic director of the KZN Philharmonic, Bongani Tembe, commented on the handover, saying: “The orchestra is delighted to be a part of this initiative. Education is critical in every country, but even more so in ours. We are touched by this kind gesture from Ms Fleming’s family which will have a lasting impact on the school.”

The education concert at the school was part of the orchestra’s ongoing education and development programme in which over 30,000 students each year experience classical music and a live orchestra at their school, educational institution or community hall.

Speaking on behalf of Addington Primary, Mrs Gail Theunissen, the principal, added her thanks to this gesture, “It was an enormous honour to host Ms Fleming’s family at our school and an experience that continues to inspire our pupils. We are grateful for this gift which will benefit our school for some years.”