(Pic: A smiling Robert Peterson (right) with his fiancé Lester Grendon, taken from his Facebook page)Education & Development Co-ordinator of the KZNPO dies tragically in a motor accident. (Tribute by Caroline Smart)
Robert Petersen, the KwaZulu-Natal Orchestra’s popular Education & Development Co-ordinator, was tragically killed in a motor car accident as he was driving to Pietermaritzburg yesterday afternoon (May 15).
Born in Durban in April 1975, Robert was a member of the Durban Symphonic Choir and KZN Chorale before his soloist debut under Richard Cock in September 2000. He has performed on numerous occasions with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, showcasing his versatility in several musical genres, and has also performed Indian classical music under the banner of “Kala Darshan”. He has collaborated with leading conductors such as Leslie B Dunner; Naum Rousine; Lykele Temmingh, and Michael Hankinson as well as pianist Christopher Duigan and singers Linda Bukhosini; Bongani Tembe; Bronwen Forbay; Juanita Kruger; Karen van Pletsen; Shelley McLean; Crystal Tryon; Carol Trench; Pume Zondi; Melanie Lowe, and Lauren Dasappa. He appeared in several television advertisements for the Build-It franchise.
“Robert was a special person. He was some sort of angel – some sort of saint among us,” says Bongani Tembe, the KZNPO’s CEO and Artistic Director. “He helped everybody and we all considered him “our Robert”. He gave of himself, was devoted to the orchestra in a superlative manner and particularly loved opera. After the tour with opera star Renée Fleming, he said to me “You don’t know what you did for me by securing Renée’s visit to South Africa”.”
In December, 2005, Robert Petersen was invited to accompany renowned international saxophonist Andrew Young on a month-long sell-out tour of China. Performances in 2006 and 2007 included the annual Starlight Pop Opera sponsored by First National Bank at the Durban Country Club; the Witness Hilton Arts Festival; the official opening of the Point Waterfront Development Project; the International Investment Council in Knysna for President Thabo Mbeki; the Glenwood Proms as part of Celebrate Durban, and Durban Pops as well as a special concert in the Emmanuel Cathedral for Cardinal Wilfred Napier.
He performed as a backing vocalist in the Playhouse Company’s 2008 festive season production of Unforgettable and sang with the KZNPO at the Carols by Candlelight concerts in December 2008 and 2009. He made his acting debut with a supporting role in Terrence McNally’s award-winning play, Masterclass, which was presented by the Playhouse Company as part of the 2007 South African Women’s Arts Festival.
On May 7, he gave what was to be his last performance in the KZNPO’s concert in Pietermaritzburg - A Night on Broadway, performing with Shelley McLean and Lana English.
A Durban Theatre Award nominee, Robert was also voted Best Male Contemporary Singer (KZN) in the prestigious 2006 Fools Awards and successfully hosted numerous concerts, both professionally and those forming part of the KZNPO’s Education and Development programme.
A measure of his popularity can be seen in the avalanche of messages on Facebook for his birthday in April, including good wishes from such musical luminaries as opera singer Sally Silver and pianist Ben Schoeman.
“He had so much joy and love in his life,” adds Tania Smith, the KZNPO’s acting orchestra manager, “especially recently since he became engaged and had so very much to live for. Words cannot really express how very much we are going to miss him.”
On his Facebook page, Robert described himself as a “Singer, Operabuff and Arts Administrator.....all rolled into one :-)’”. Several months ago, he became engaged to Lester Grendon and on May 9, he wrote “..... every so often, some rain must fall. Whenever the storm clouds gather, my beloved shines his light to illuminate the darkest corners of my mind .....” – Caroline Smart
The KZN Philharmonic will hold a memorial service for Robert Petersen on Friday, May 21, at the Durban City Hall at 12h30.
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