The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2024 Summer Season, which features a splendid line-up of international and local talent, runs in The Playhouse Opera Theatre every Thursday from 29 February to 21 March 2024, with each World Symphony Series concert starting at 19h00.
The renowned Swiss conductor Emmanuel Siffert takes the podium on 7 March, opening on a neo-baroque note with Ravel’s beguiling Le Tombeau de Couperin (Memorial to Couperin). Originally a piano suite, Ravel then produced an orchestral version, skillfully evoking the sensibilities of a Baroque French keyboard suite of dances.
The German virtuoso pianist Jan Jiracek von Arnim takes centerstage in a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto no 23 in A Major, often cited as the loveliest of its genre. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 2 (dubbed ‘The Little Russian’) brings the evening to a close.
KZN Philharmonic Season tickets are available through KZN Philharmonic Office on 031 369 9438 or info@kznphil.org.za, and bookings for individual concerts, are available at Quicket outlets. For more information call 031-369 9438, email info@kznphil.org.za or visit www.kznphil.org.za.
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra wants to make their audiences’ experience as comfortable as possible. Many audience members would prefer not to self-drive to the Playhouse to attend KZN Philharmonic concerts in the evening, so the Orchestra is providing on a FREE bus service allowing people to park in the suburbs and hop on a bespoke bus into town.
Various routes are on offer: for north of Durban residents – from Grace Family Church in Umhlanga departing at 6.15pm; for upper highway residents – a bus departs from St Agnes Church at 5.45pm; Westville residents can park at Westville Senior Primary, with a bus departing at 6pm. A bus stops at the Caister Lodge in Durban’s Berea for Durbanites, departing 6.20pm. Safe, free parking is available at all departure points. The bus is free, but booking is essential. Booking may be made by emailing info@kznphil.org.za or by calling 031 369 9438.
Whilst the Playhouse Coffee Shop is not operational at the moment, The Playhouse bar is once more operational for pre-concerts and interval drinks. One can pre-order interval drinks on arrival.
Public are welcome to sit in on the final rehearsal every Thursday morning at 10h00 in the Playhouse Opera. Tickets R50 adults throughout. Unreserved seating in the downstairs stalls only.
Good to Know:
Thurs 7 March
Conductor: Emmanuel Siffert
Soloist: Jan Jiracek von Arnim – piano
Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin (Memorial to Couperin).
Mozart: Piano Concerto no 23
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 2 (dubbed ‘The Little Russian’)
Thurs 14 March
Conductor: Leon Bosch
Soloist: Hyeyoon Park – violin
Grieg: Holberg Suite
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Schubert: Symphony No 5
Thurs 21 March
Conductor: Daniel Boico
Soloist: Nina Schumann / Megan-Geoffrey Prins – piano
Dvořák: Czech Suite
Camille Saint Saëns: Carnival of the Animals
Mozart: ‘Symphony no 38 ‘The Prague’
