 December Newsletter18 December 2007
CEO and Youth Orchestra win cultural awards  The CPO has been recognised for its achievements by winning two of the Western Cape Arts, Culture and Heritage awards for
Mr Heyneman accepted his award on behalf of the whole orchestra and staff, saying that "it is a team effort by all concerned.” He added that it was particularly gratifying that the Youth Orchestra had won an award, since it proves that the work put into developing young talent is paying off.
 Queen – A CelebrationThe CPO presents the perfect live holiday entertainment from 19 to 23 December: Queen Celebration – A Rock Show is on at the Artscape Opera House. This rock spectacular will include all the greatest hits of one of the world's biggest-ever rock bands: Queen. Among the many highlights will be the showstoppers Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Radio Ga-Ga and Barcelona. Duncan Royce and Luciano Zuppa are both already well known for their performances of Queen’s music. Duncan Royce will be joined by local diva Aviva Pelham to sing Barcelona. This vibrant musical celebration under conductor Michael Hankinson will take audiences through the whole range of emotions of Queen’s music with songs like Who Wants To Live Forever, Another One Bites the Dust, Don’t Try So Hard, Don’t Stop Me Now and You Take My Breath Away.
Successful second Cape Town International Summer Music Festival
A stirring interpretation of Verdi’s monumental Messa da Requiem by the CPO, mass choirs and soloists under Principal Guest Conductor, Owain Arwel Hughes (on 6 December in the City Hall and on 9 December in the NAC Auditorium) concluded this year’s successful Cape Town International Summer Music Festival.
The festival brought many memorable performances by international and local soloists, including international star cellist Maria Kliegel, the celebrated British pianist John Lill, the brilliant violinist Philippe Quint and the ever-popular Russian pianist Olga Kern. The music included many major works from the established repertoire, and also two world premières - John Simon’s Dance to Freedom and David Earl’s Piano Concerto No. 2 - the latter performed by the composer himself.
There were recitals by Maria Kliegel (with pianist Elna van der Merwe), Olga Kern and John Lill, and the festival also included the Huberte Rupert Memorial Concert in the Endler Hall (Stellenbosch) withthe Stellenbosch-born violinist Zoë Beyers as soloist, and the Friends of Orchestral Music Anniversary Gala consisting of a selection of the world’s much-loved short orchestral masterpieces.
During the festival the CPO was conducted by Maestro Hughes, Theodore Kuchar, Vladimir KernandGeorge Michie. Audience attendance for the festival was good, with mostly sold-out houses of appreciative music lovers.
The Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra performed with the CPO during the first symphony concert of the festival on 15 November and also gave their full-length Festival concert in the Joseph Stone Auditorium on 24 November together with the Fezeka School Choir. These performances resulted in very positive feedback: particularly gratifying were the comments from those parents and other members of the audiences from the townships who do not usually attend CPYO concerts, but who expressed interest to attend more concerts in future.
Summer Symphony Season 2008
The summer Symphony Season starts on Thursday 7 February in the City Hall and consists of four concerts, all conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Owain Arwel Hughes.
Booking for the Summer Symphony Season 2008 opens on 21 December for current subscribers and on 14 January 2008 for new subscribers. General booking opens on 21 January 2008.
In short:
In memory of the late Solomon Makosana, CPO’s board member who passed away last year, the CPO decided to create the Solomon Makosana Award to benefit a needy, hard-working and dedicated member of the CPYO. This award was presented to Katlego Taunyane at the CPYO Festival Concert on 24 November.
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