Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra opens winter season bookings with exciting concerts

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) has officially opened bookings for its Winter Symphonies series, set to enchant audiences at the iconic City Hall on the 12th, 19th, and 26th of June. This year’s lineup promises a splendid combination of classical masterpieces and exquisite performances from some of the music industry’s most illustrious talents.

First up on June 12, the acclaimed conductor Thomas Sanderling will lead an evening spotlighting the works of Johannes Brahms. The concert will feature the highly praised violinist Andrey Baranov, who will present Brahms’ magnificent Violin Concerto. Baranov, the winner of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition in 2012, has a remarkable record of accolades, having triumphed in more than twenty international competitions. The evening will culminate in Brahms’ powerful Symphony No. 4. Music aficionados can look forward to a pre-concert talk led by John Woodland, who will delve into the evening’s works, enriching the audience’s listening experience.

The symphonic journey continues on June 19, as Sanderling takes the helm for a thrilling concert that showcases a collaboration of two of South Africa’s top pianists, Megan-Geoffrey Prins and Tinus Botha. They will perform Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos amid a programme opened by the overture to Der Entführung aus dem Serail and culminating with Beethoven’s exuberant Symphony No. 7. Prins’ extensive performances across continents and Botha’s accolades as a talented soloist combine for what promises to be a memorable evening. This concert will also have a pre-concert talk led by Albert Combrink, adding depth to the performances.

The series wraps up on June 26, with a thrilling concert version of Il Trovatore, Verdi’s operatic treasure, conducted by Jeremy Silver. This event marks a significant occasion, as it is the first staging of this opera in Cape Town for many years. The collaboration includes a talented cast from Opera UCT, the CPO Afri-Arts Choir, and soloists such as Nontobeko Bhengu (Leonora), Mkhanyiseli Dyantyi (Manrico), and others. Audiences can engage with the music through a pre-concert talk hosted by Albert Combrink, promising insights into Verdi’s timeless work.

Bookings for the Winter Symphonies are now open, with new subscriptions and single concert tickets available through Artscape Dial-A-Seat at 021 421 7695 and single concert seats from Webtickets.