Tired of raucous rock? Durban offers up something a bit more genteel this week.
The beautiful, historic and acoustically exceptional Church of the Monastery at Marriannhill
this weekend once again resonates with the singular sounds of Baroque music. That particularly
ornate trope of music which followed the Renaissance and preceded the more simplified style of
what is generally known as ‘ classical” music is celebrated by Durban’ s Baroque 2000 Orchestra
which on Sunday performs an all-Handel programme which features some of the highlights
of that great composer’ s canon such as Cantata Tu Fedel? Tu Costana which stars acclaimed
Durban soprano Lauren Desappa. Also on the programme are Concerto Grosso and two of the
Trio Sonatas.
Marrianhill Monastery, Sunday October 24, 3pm. Entrance is R60 on the day with the venue
boasting ample safe parking and fresh hot coffee before and after the concert. Tel: 031 312 5539
Email [email protected]
Celebrated South African chorale The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir this weekend present an
unusual collaboration entitled A Dolphin Celebration. The world-renowned choir teams up
with the dolphins of uShaka Marine World to fill the night skies with song of both human
and cetacean kind for the first ever joint musical extravaganza of this kind. Hailing from the
idyllic Champagne Valley in the Central Berg, the Drakensberg Boys Choir is an international
phenomenon whose unique repertoire extends from rock, pop, jazz and folk to classics such as
Handel’ s Messiah; Mozart’ s Requiem; Bernstein’ s Chichester Psalms and Bach’ s Magnificat.
Adding further flavour to the blend is a selection of unique African compilations accompanied
by authentic African instruments and body percussion. From the deep are dolphin divas Afrika,
Tombi, Khanya and Zulu and other saltwater showmen Kelpie, Jula, Khwezi and Ingelosi.
However, the heart stopping solo will come from Gambit, the largest bottlenose dolphin in any
oceanarium in the world.
uShaka Marine World, Bell Avenue, October 23 and 24, 7pm. Tickets R100 through
Computicket. Tel: 031 328 8000.
I Love A Piano is concert pianist extraordinaire Christopher Duigan’ s annual piano extravaganza
which takes the form of an entire evening celebrating the joy of music around the piano. Duigan,
who was recently welcomed into one of the world’ s most prestigious folds by being named a
Steinway Pianist, on this occasion brings together music from the worlds of jazz, classical and
popular music in a programme featuring a stellar line-up of guest musicians. These include
fellow pianists Evan Roberts and Andrew Warburton; vocalist Shelley Mc Clean and London-
based saxophonist Joanne Rozario. On the programme are works by ‘ nuevo” tango composer
Astor Piazzolla; music for two pianos by Sergei Rachmaninoff and a host of other popular
classics, showtunes and jazz greats.
Hilton College Theatre, Friday October 22, 7:30pm. Tickets R100 in advance. Tel: 033 383 0126