Klein Karoo Klassique brings a significant offering of music to the Klein Karoo, including a world premiere and a range of classical favourites.

Oudtshoorn’s festival of classical music, literature, art, food and wine takes place for the 17th time from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August. Central to the programme, hosted in the Civic Centre and Banqueting Hall, are three evening concerts featuring the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (8 August), Cape Town Opera (7 August 19:00) and the Stellenbosch University Choir (9 August). Various chamber music recitals are also presented, complemented by two late-night performances and two breakfast concerts in the Banqueting Hall completing the music programme. The programme is designed to ensure that festivalgoers do not have to choose between performances but can attend them all.

Renowned conductor Richard Cock presents a special programme for those curious about the orchestra (7 August 10:00), while celebrated Choir Director André van der Merwe presents a workshop for choir directors from the region after the festival (10 August 08:00). Those interested can contact the festival office for more information and participation.

Inspired by the fleeting nature of travel, Postcards (7 August 14:00) featuring Féroll-Jon Davids (clarinet), Ralitza Macheva (violin), Azra Isaacs (viola) and Rosamund Roth (cello), takes the audience on a journey across continents, time periods and musical genres. The programme offers a sonic snapshot of chamber music from around the globe for clarinet and string trio.

The Klassique Gala Concert (7 August 19:00) brings together the acclaimed Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), under the baton of Richard Cock, and renowned South African pianist François du Toit. This celebratory programme showcases beloved masterpieces of the Classical and Romantic eras. It marks the CPO’s first performance at Klassique in 13 years.

Anna Davel en The Melisizwe Plaatjie Collective, winner of the KKNK Kanna Award for Best Production: Contemporary Music this year, share the stage for an unforgettable jazz concert, celebrating the rich tapestry of local and world music (7 August 21:00).

Trio Contraire (8 August 10:00) is a captivating recital featuring Esthea Kruger (piano), Shannon Thebus (French horn) and Louisa Theart (flute). Spanning over two centuries, the programme brings together a diverse range of chamber works by some of Europe’s most distinctive composers.

Take Four Piano Quartet (8 August 14:00) takes the audience on a journey through favourites in the chamber music repertoire. Zanta Hofmeyr (violin), Jeanne-Louise Moolman (viola), Susan Mouton (cello) and Elna van der Merwe (piano), long-time collaborators and virtuoso performers, come together in August to celebrate Women’s Month.

Heimwee (8 August 19:00) is a heartfelt tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Mimi Coertse, celebrating the voice, artistry, and cultural impact of one of South Africa’s most beloved sopranos. On stage are Cape Town Opera sopranos Brittany Smith and Sisikelelwe Mngenela, tenor Thandolwethu Longo, pianist José Dias, with Charl du Plessis as host.

Zanne Stapelberg (soprano) and James Grace (guitar) share their musical partnerships spanning over two decades of sold-out performances in Spanish Songs (8 August 21:00).

Unheard (of) [9 August 10:00] featuring Mietze Dill (cello) and Mareli Stolp (piano), is both a celebration and a voyage of discovery, exploring the works of female composers who were long marginalised and excluded from the musical canon.

Cellissimo (9 August 14:00) brings together eight cellists from the CPO and a soprano, with Peter Martens, Eddie McLean, Rosamund Roth, Matthias Remley-Ender, Dane Coetzee, Ashlin Grobelaar, Lynne Donson, Marcus Motaung and Siphamandla Moyake (soprano). This recital includes the world premiere of a new work by Shane Woodborne.

The Stellenbosch University Choir brings its 90th anniversary celebrations to Klassique (9 August 19:00) and invites audiences to experience exceptional choral artistry under direction of André van der Merwe. This marks the choir’s first appearance at the festival.

A limited number of Klassique Packages are available, offering audiences the opportunity to attend eight recitals at a saving of more than 20%. Tickets are available online, or from the KKNK office in Oudtshoorn. Tickets are also available at the door before recitals, subject to availability.

Breakfast Concerts are presented on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August at 08:00 in the Banqueting Hall. With free entrance, these events combine piano music with a delicious breakfast menu. Audiences can look forward to performances by Oudtshoorn pianist John Theodore (8 August) and Charl du Plessis (9 August).

Music discussions, hosted by Charl du Plessis, follow selected recitals. Three Literary Talks are presented in partnership with NB Publishers, Bonnie Espie talks about Lifting the Lid (7 August 16:00), Antjie Krog talks about her translation of Olive Schreiner’s From Man to Man (8 August 12:00) and Irna van Zyl talks about Kanniedood (9 August 12:00).

René Scribante curates a visual arts exhibition titled In the key of Light, featuring works by established and emerging artists from the Klein Karoo and Southern Cape. A walkabout of these artworks takes place on 9 August 13:00 in the Banqueting Hall.

Danie van der Merwe, presenter of the popular VIA series Die Wynmeester, is joined by three talented winemakers at Klein Karoo Klassique. Andrew Mellish (Mellish Family Vineyards), Arno Smith (Wines by Arno Smith) and Riaan Marais (Alvi’s Drift) share insights into the art of winemaking, the industry challenges, and entertaining anecdotes. Come and enjoy a tasting as the winemakers present their wines paired with a delicious complementary snack (7 August 17:00, 8 August 16:30 and 9 August 16:30).

The Klassique Festival Restaurant, operated by Oudtshoorn’s Nostalgie Restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with other delicacies available throughout the festival period. A selection of wines is also available.

Additional experiences include the Oudtshoorn ReWOLusie knitting and crocheting initiative, RJ Tours’ Historiese wandeltoere, De Rustica Olive Estate’s Olyf tot olyfolie tastings and Te Heerlike Tasting Room and Store’s Tee-en-smaak-ervaring.

Klein Karoo Klassique is presented by the KKNK, made possible by the Rupert Music Foundation and the ATKV, with support from Le Lude, RSG, Oudtshoorn Courant and the Oudtshoorn Municipality.

The accommodation sponsors for this winter festival include Argyll B&B, Beit Shalom, Cul de Sac, De Zeekoe, Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, Oudtshoorn Inn, Pictures Boutique Hotel, Protea Hotel Riempie Estate, Ravenscliff Manor and Rosenhof Country House.

For more information, visit https://klassique.co.za or contact the office of the KKNK via e-mail at info@kunste.org.za, phone 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.

J.C. Aucamp
jc@kunste.org.za
Klein Karoo Klassique
https://www.klassique.co.za/eng/