Bloom in Concert opens Stanford in Bloom 2026 with the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, conducted by Liam Burden, and guest soprano Lynelle Kenned.

The concert takes place on Saturday, 12 September 2026 at 14:00 in the Stanford NG Kerk, one of the village’s most recognisable historic spaces. Presented as the opening concert of Stanford in Bloom 2026, the event brings together orchestral music, spring celebration, youth development and community participation.

The Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will perform a broad and accessible programme selected for a wide audience. The concert includes favourites from Carmen, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Colours of the Wind, alongside South African works including Plea from Africa and a Miriam Makeba Medley.

Guest soprano Lynelle Kenned brings warmth, versatility and wide stage experience to the concert. A UCT Opera School graduate and award-winning performer, Kenned’s work spans opera, theatre, television and live performance. Her stage and concert repertoire includes productions and works such as West Side Story, The Sound of Music, La Bohème, Showboat, Le nozze di Figaro, Calling Me Home, Carmina Burana, The Messiah, Brahms’ Requiem and Fauré’s Requiem.

Organiser Cobus Visser of Betrag Art Gallery says the concert builds on the success of last year’s Stanford in Bloom music event.

“Last year’s concert showed how powerfully music can bring the village together during Stanford in Bloom. This year we wanted to build on that foundation with a programme that is beautiful, familiar, uplifting and connected to the spirit of spring. Bringing the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra to Stanford, with Lynelle Kenned as guest soprano, gives us the opportunity to offer something truly special to both local audiences and festival visitors.”

A special feature of this year’s event is the youth development element taking place around the concert. Members of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will participate in an educational workshop with local youth performers on the day of the event. The workshop is intended to create a meaningful opportunity for learning, exchange and musical connection between young performers from different communities and musical backgrounds.

Stanford in Bloom is a celebration of flowers, gardens, creativity and community in the Cape Overberg village of Stanford. The festival brings together floral displays, cultural programming, local participation and visitor experiences that celebrate the beauty and character of Stanford in spring.

Event details:
Event: Bloom in Concert
Festival: Stanford in Bloom 2026
Featuring: Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Guest soprano: Lynelle Kenned
Conductor: Liam Burden
Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Time: 14:00
Doors open: 13:00
Recommended arrival: 13:30
Venue: Stanford NG Kerk, Stanford, Western Cape
Tickets: Available via Webtickets
Booking link: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1597195375

For more information:
Cobus Visser
Betrag Art Gallery
E-mail: info@betrag.me
Cell: 067 188 9439
Website: www.betrag.me

Cobus Visser
info@betrag.me
067 188 9439
Betrag Art Gallery
https://www.betrag.me