ORCHESTRAL CONCERT by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Peter Valentovic with guest soloist Zanne Stapelberg.
Reviewed by Leon Muston, Arts Editor
THE Cape Philharmonic Orchestra showed its class last night at an outstanding, but surprisingly not sold-out concert at the Guy Butler Theatre.
The programme included a number of pieces which have become such a part of popular culture that even non-classical music enthusiasts would be familiar with them. These included Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers and Strauss’s Fledermaus Overture.
Verdi’s Tacea la Notte Placida and Massenet’s Meditation were also among the highlights.
When I realised my seat was right at the front of the auditorium, right next to the double basses, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t get the full orchestral experience, but the great acoustics in the venue and the ability of the musicians ensured that I could hear every instrument.
Slovakian-born conductor Peter Valentovic was a consumate professional, but not as charismatic as some of the conductors we regularly see in the Eastern Cape like Peter Louis van Dijk or Richard Cock.
Soloist soprano Zanne Stapelberg, who last week had wowed the audience at the African Celebration concert, was completely in her element, demonstrating excellent vocal range and control as she sang works ranging from Mozart’s Porgi Amor to Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance #10 and Puccini’s Chi il Bel Sogno.
Every time she took to the stage she thrilled the audience and it was not surprising they persuaded the orchestra and Stapelberg to return for an encore.
For those who missed it yesterday, the Cape Philharmonic and Stapelberg will also be playing today at 3.30pm, in the Festival Gala Concert, which will be conducted by Richard Cock and will feature guest soloist Shannon Mowday on saxophone.
Tags: Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, classical music, Dvorak, Mozart, music review, Puccini, Richard Cock, Zanne Stapelberg
