The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) officially opened its magnificent glass doors last weekend with the double bill of acclaimed songstress Sibongile Khumalo and violin prodigy Vanessa-Mae. With the theme of dialogue chosen to drive the centre’s activities, it was fitting that the opening featured musicians chosen to converse, voice and violin respectively, with the people of Cape Town.An evening’s worth of performances began with instrumentation by Cape Town musicians, followed by the Jazzart dancers, who put an African take on the classic Bolero. However, it was the clarity of Khumalo’s voice in the 10 000m² exhibition room that was to be the test of the venue’s acoustic capability.After a few sound imperfections at the start of Khumalo’s set were addressed, the unmistakable voice of South Africa’s nightingale soared across the rows of seats. Aided in her opening number by Cape Town’s favourite bassist, Basil Moses, Khumalo performed with her customary grace and vigour. Performing Victor Ntoni classics, her hymns, at times, reflected the issues where dialogue is essential for resolution; a lover scorned, a child needing care. Khumalo closed her set with the much-loved Township Medley, joking that the keynote speaker, President Thabo Mbeki, should jive along. Despite having fallen ill earlier that day and looking a little nervous, Vanessa-Mae performed her half of the show with a cheeky smile and a dash of enthusiasm. Her determination to play Cape Town, after having visited Jo’burg some years ago, would not let illness or nerves get in the way. Her performances, she told the audience, were adventures, each one different in its mode and arrangement. Accompanied by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and her own musicians, Vanessa-Mae moved through her repertoire, changing the pace from frenetic to gentle, as she did the style from pop to classical. The evening’s climax for the 6 500-strong audience was the collaboration between the two artists. Not without its challenges, the collaboration was in itself a metaphor for the process of dialogue — two seemingly disparate parties from different styles and disciplines, each struggling to find her own space but breaking through to the point of becoming in tune with one another. This was the first of what is hoped will be many more musical dialogues at the CTICC.