(Conductor Lionel Bringuier)
KZN classical
music lovers are in for a treat when the acclaimed 58-member Alma Chamber
Orchestra appears in Durban with the KZN Philharmonic. The orchestra is performing
for the first time in South Africa as part of their world tour with concerts in
Johannesburg, Durban and Soweto from April 22 to 25.
The ‘World
Tour for Unity’ is presented by The Ichikowitz Family Foundation and the Alma
Nostra Foundation in Paris, and includes a series of concerts led by
concertmaster and artistic director, Anne Gravoin, with the famous Brazilian
pianist Nelson Freire, under the direction of Lionel Bringuier. The programme
will include works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Wael Binali.
Ivor
Ichikowitz, founder of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and sponsor of the
South African tour, said " We all strive for a more peaceful, tolerant and
prosperous world, and through the medium of world-class music, our respective
Foundations are bringing this message to South Africa on the eve of the 21st
anniversary of our country's peaceful democratic transition. We are greatly
privileged to share with South Africans the chance to listen to such an
accomplished orchestra.”
The Alma
Chamber Orchestra’s tour to South Africa, in the spirit of unity, will also
launch the European Union’s Europefest 2015 programme. All the European
Embassies have gathered their cultural events together during the month of May
under one umbrella to form the EuropeFest 2015. Their vision is to celebrate
cultural diversity.
Audiences in
Durban can look forward to this collaboration with South Africa’s leading
orchestra, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Alma Chamber
Orchestra for an unprecedented experience. The programme will include
Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and
Concerto No 4, Symphony No 4 by Mendelssohn and Earth by Wael Binali.
Members of
The Alma Chamber Orchestra will host master classes in Durban and Umlazi on April
24 to facilitate collaborative education, signifying unity through music.
“I am
delighted that The Alma Chamber Orchestra will be collaborating with the
KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra on a rare and exceptional tour. I am
particularly pleased that The Alma Chamber Orchestra will, in addition to
presenting symphony concerts in Johannesburg and Durban, undertake music
development initiatives in Umlazi Township and Soweto," said Bongani
Tembe, Artistic Director of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and
Commissioner-General of the France-South Africa Seasons 2012 and 2013.
Zouhir
Boudemagh, the President of the Alma Nostra Foundation notes, “We are delighted
to be in South Africa to join in the celebrations of 21 years of Democracy.
We’ve just returned from touring North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco)
and this will be a glorious celebration of cultural unity and affirmation of universal
humanitarian values.”
The Durban
concert will take place on April 23 at 19h30 at the Durban City Hall. Booking
is at Computicket .
For more
information visit www.ichikowitzfoundation.com