(Richard
Cock)
Parklane Superspar in association with the KwaZulu-Natal
Philharmonic Orchestra and Christopher Duigan’s Music Revival present Last Night of the Maritzburg Proms on March
9 in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.
This gala event draws inspiration from the
legendary Last of Night of The Proms,
a concert which concludes the PROMS, a series of daily concerts staged over an
eight-week period held annually in the Royal Albert Hall, London since 1895.
With the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic
Orchestra under the baton of legendary Mr Music South Africa, Richard Cock, the
evening offers local audiences a unique musical experience. Cock, who has
become synonymous with the promotion of Proms concerts in South Africa, has
become an integral part of any rousing PROMS experience.
Soloists for the Maritzburg Last Night of The Proms include Pretoria-based soprano
Hanli Stapela who has maintained a highly visible career locally and
internationally. She will be joined by Njabulo Madlala, the KwaMashu-born
baritone now carving out a highly successful career in London and one of SA’s
brightest singing exports. Madlala will be joined on stage by the gifted young
tenor, Wayne Mkhize. Mkhize was one of a handful of young singers Madlala
identified and invited to participate in the competition and workshop Anzwi
Omzansi Africa National Singing Competition which Madlala initiated and
organised recently in Durban.
The repertoire for the singers includes
arias by Puccini, Mozart, Bizet and Lehar plus from French opera by Jules
Massenet. This is coupled with the beguiling violin solo in the Meditation from Thaïs as played by the newly-appointed concertmaster of the KZNPO,
Joanna Frankel. The orchestra is highlighted in two ‘2013 Anniversary Composers’ playing typical PROMS fare; Verdi’s Grande March from Aida and Wagner’s Ride of the
Walküre as used in the movie, Platoon.
Celebrated KZN–based pianist Christopher Duigan plays the Scherzo by Henry Litolff, a uniquely charming and dazzling concert
piece.
The second half of the programme features much
audience participation in the traditional standards of any Last Night of the Proms Concert; Rule Britannia, Elgar's Pomp
and Circumstance March (Land of Hope and Glory) and the hymn Jerusalem. All in all, together with an
Inspirational Medley and O Sole Mi, this
equals a resounding selection of favourite music that will raise the roof and
the spirits of many.
The Last
Night of the Proms is a musical celebration featuring orchestra, star soloists,
and audience participation in an exciting selection of music. While
acknowledging the traditional content of the concept, it is the all-inclusive
multi-cultural musical celebration on an international stage that the
Pietermaritzburg version, as presented by Parklane SUPERSPAR, aims to promote.
Last
Night of the Maritzburg Proms will be performed on
March 9 at 19h00 in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Secure parking is available
in the City Hall precinct, Tatham Art Gallery and Bessie Head library.
Tickets range from R100 to R160 including
discounted seats for students and pensioners. Booking at Parklane Superspar - contact
Jennifer at the Dulce Coffee Shop on 033 342 3487 (booking hours 08h00 to 17h00
Monday to Friday/08h00 to 15h00 Saturday & Sunday).
The
Last Night of the Maritzburg Proms is sponsored by
Parklane SUPERSPAR, The Witness and CPW Printers.
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