A diverse festival programme awaits classical music enthusiasts at this year’s Klein Karoo Klassique in Oudtshoorn.
This festival of classical music, art, books, food and wine is presented for the 16th time in the Klein Karoo from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August.
Maestro Richard Cock and the Cape Town Festival Orchestra are returning for the Klein Karoo Klassique Gala Concert , joined on stage by the ever-popular Charl du Plessis Trio and rising opera star Nonhlanhla Yende. The programme includes Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in a brand-new arrangement for orchestra, opera arias by Mozart and music by Vivaldi and Bach. Yende is part of a new generation of brilliant young singers making waves on the South African music scene, performing some of the most popular arias from the operatic repertoire to round off this memorable concert.
Voces Cordisconducted by award-winning choir director André van der Merwe, will perform at Klassique for the first time (10 August 12:30), presenting sacred choral works by composers such as Andrey Makor and Jacob Handl, contemporary pieces by Laura Jēkabsone and Jacob Collier, a Latvian folksong, and Didn’t My Lord Deliver Danielby Mia Makaroff. The choir will also share their interpretation of the beloved Afrikaans piece “Voshaarnooi”.
Zorada Temmingh returns to Klassique for the first time since 2009, with Zorada se katedraal en kaperjol (9 August 16:30). She is regarded as one of South Africa’s foremost improvisors on the organ, performing works by popular organ composers such as Johann Pachelbel and Léon Boëllmann, along with her own compositions and improvisations on church hymns.
An unforgettable piano extravaganza awaits on Friday evening (8 August 19:30) in KlavierkoorsNina Schumann, Megan-Geoffrey Prins, José Dias and Charl du Plessis will share the stage with works for four, six, and eight hands, including music by Rachmaninoff, Schubert, and even unexpected gems by John Lennon – blending classical tradition with a contemporary twist.
Three trios are featured in the programme. In Trio du Cap Classique (8 August 10:00) Liesl Stoltz (flute), Rosamund Roth (cello) and José Dias (piano) play music by Mozart, Eugene Goossens and Louise Farrenc. Trio AéroClave (9 August 13:30) featuring Louisa Theart (flute), Férrol-Jon Davids (clarinet) and Nina Schumann (piano) will present a programme of music by Bach, Brahms, Villa-Lobos, Saint-Saëns, John Rutter, Hendrik Hofmeyr and Guillaume Connesson. In Journey of the Soul (10 August 09:30) Féroll-Jon Davids (clarinet), Rosamund Roth (cello) and Megan-Geoffrey Prins (piano) will perform a selection of music by Schumann, Muczynski and Brahms.
For Alive String Quartet in Concert (8 August 14:00), Petrus de Beer (violin), Renée van der Westhuizen (violin), Emile de Roubaix (viola) and Anjulie de Vos-Nock (cello) will blend classical and contemporary music with engaging storytelling and compelling narration. Beloved classics by composers such as Vivaldi, Haydn, Beethoven and Piazzolla are included, alongside modern hits infused with a classical touch by The Beatles, Coldplay and more.
The hypnotic beauty and rhythmic brilliance of minimalist music are showcased in Glass House (9 August 09:30), featuring works by iconic composers including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt, Max Richter and Michael Nyman. Presented by a dynamic quintet of South African virtuosos - Charl du Plessis (piano), Petrus de Beer (violin), Renée van der Westhuizen (violin), Emile de Roubaix (viola) and Anjulie de Vos-Nock (cello) – the audience will embark on a journey through decades of minimalist innovation.
A limited number of Klassique Packages are available, providing an opportunity for festivalgoers to attend all nine recitals at a saving of more than 20%. Tickets can be purchased online, or at any Checkers, Shoprite, Usave or the KKNK office. Available tickets will also be on sale at the door before recitals.
Little Maestros concert series returns (8 and 9 August 12:30) and this time the young audiences learn more about the harp from harpist Jana van der Walt and Magdalene Minnaar (violin and presenter). This concert, specially designed for the youngest listeners, offers a relaxed environment where little ears can explore music by Mozart, Bach and other beloved classical composers.
Each day of the festival begins with a Breakfast Concert at 08:00, where classical music is combined with a delicious breakfast menu. These concerts are free to attend and are presented in the Banqueting Hall.
Music Discussions will follow selected recitals, hosted by Charl du Plessis. Three Literary Talks are also presented, made possible by NB Publishers. PJO Jonker discusses his book Die Onsigbare (8 August 16:00), Juliette Mnqeta her book If The Dead Could Talk (9 August 10:45) and Willem Anker will discuss Patmos (10 August 11:00).
René Scribante curates a visual arts exhibition titled Sacred Pulseinviting viewers into a sensory dialogue in which sound becomes image and movement transforms into form. Works from both established and emerging artists from the Klein Karoo and greater Southern Cape will be included. A walkabout through the artworks will take place on 8 August at 17:00 in the Banqueting Hall.
The Festivalgoers can participate with the team of the impactful Oudtshoorn ReWOLusie invites everyone to join them in knitting and crocheting to make a difference in the community. Oudtshoorn’s very own coffee master Johan Breunissen will present an exploration of coffee in Africa on 9 August at 08:00 in Afrika-koffie vs. Afrika-droëwors RJ Tours will host a Historiese wandeltoer (Historical walking tour) daily at 08:00 and De Rustica Olive Estate will offer various opportunities for festivalgoers to taste their award-winning olive oil in Olyf tot olyfolie.
The Klassique Festival Restaurant serves delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with other delicacies available throughout the day. A selection of wines and LeLude MCC will also be served.
Klein Karoo Klassique is presented by the KKNK, made possible by the Rupert Music Foundation and the ATKV, with the support from Le Lude and the Oudtshoorn Municipality.
Accommodation sponsors for this winter festival are Aloe Manor, Bakenskraal Ostrich Palace, Beit Shalom Guesthouse, Hlangana Lodge, Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, Mooiplaas Guest House, Queen’s Hotel, Ravenscliff Manor and Rosenhof Country House.
For more information, visit klassique.co.za or contact the KKNK office via email at info@kunste.org.za, phone 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.