HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING

(Christopher Duigan, Marian van Duyker, Maggi Deppe, Kirsten Sayers and Anele Mnguni)

As Christmas approaches Parklane Superspar presents Hark! The Herald Angels Sing with the Drakensberg Boys Choir on December 5 at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.

Conducted by Bragi Þór Valsson, the Drakensberg Boys Choir will perform selections from their current Christmas programme for the Hark! The Herald Angels Sing concert including a wide range of popular seasonal music from around the world.

Situated in the majestic environment of the Drakensberg Mountains, at the foot of Champagne Castle and Cathkin Peak, the world-renowned boys choir school represents a unique education opportunity stimulating a boy’s spirit of adventure and exploration in the physical surroundings of the school while developing the mind and expression in innate musical talent.

Featured in the concert is a performance of WA Mozart’s Quintet for Piano and Winds featuring a young all-South African team of soloists from the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra: Kirsten Sayers (clarinet), Maggi Deppe (oboe), Marian van Duyker (French horn) and Anele Mnguni, (bassoon). Christopher Duigan (piano) joins them at the piano to play this celebrated and most magnificent of Mozart’s compositions.

Speaking on the inclusion of Mozart’s music for this Christmas programme, Duigan said: “The Mozart Quintet is heavenly music that speaks of incredible purity, peace and joy. When looking at the possibilities of including a performance piece to include in this seasonal programme, Brad Glasspoole and I - who direct and produce the concert under the auspices of Parklane SUPERSPAR - felt that this music would provide a beautiful companion to the close vocal harmonies and textures of the boys’ singing in a Christmas-related programme.“

The audience are invited to join in the singing of carols performed by the Drakensberg Boys Choir and accompanied by the famous Pietermaritzburg City Hall organ. Parking on the evening is secure in the City Hall, Bessie Head Library and Tatham Art Gallery precincts.

The conductor will be available after the performance for voice tests for boys who wish to join the Drakensberg Boys Choir.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing will be performed at 19h00 on December 5 in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Tickets R100 (R80 pensioners and R60 scholars) available at Dulcé Café at Parklane SUPERSPAR. Phone 033 342 3487 – booking hours are 07h00 to 17h30 weekdays and 07h00 to 15h30 on Saturdays and Sundays.