D'ARTS Magazine, by the
Durban Arts Association

OPERA NEWS

Six operas will be staged this year at the State Theatre in Pretoria. Commonly known in the opera business as `Cav & Pag', the traditional duo of Pagliacci by Leoncavallo and Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, runs from April 12 to 26 with Durban baritone Raphael Vilakazi in the role of Silvio in Pagliacci. Next up from June 18 to July 3 will be Jules Massenet's Manon. Also scheduled are Monteverdi's Il Ritorno D'Ulisse (July 7 to 10), Puccini's Turandot (August 21 to September 4) and Cosi Fan Tutte (October 6 to 19).

AïDA A REAL TRIUMPH!

Over 30 000 people flocked to the Minolta Loftus Superstadium in January to enjoy the most visually exciting opera production ever to be staged in South Africa, sponsored by Nedbank and Big Concerts, in association with Jacaranda 94.2fm.

Aïda, the Operama Spectacular, was created by Maestro Giuseppe Raffa and involved more than 600 performers.

Always expensive to produce, requiring gigantic sets Giuseppe Verdi's Aïda is set in ancient Egypt and is one of the most performed operas ever. The New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra (NaPOP) and the chorus from the opera department of the State Theatre was conducted by Maestro Raffa.

Wilhelmenia Fernandez

While the 60 different screen images which changed continuously were brilliantly chosen and placed, there were times when one yearned for more simplicity and a little less hi-technology.

To provide good sound at outdoor pro-ductions of this scale, every singer should be individually miked but the mixing desk hasn't yet been built to cope with a scenario of 70!

So, `extras' were engaged to play the priests, priestesses, crowd, etc. and the chorus sang somewhere out of sight where they could be amplified, produ-cing a beautifully balanced sound.

The massive banks of loudspeakers lining the stage were evidence of the quality of both sound technicians and

equipment. Still, it was strange to see a stage full of 500 people with only the soloists singing.

The only major jarring note (or notes!) came from the NaPOP trumpet section who produced some right nasty sounds in the Triumphal March. A great pity because not only is this the brass sec-tion's biggest moment, it's the one piece that just about every member of the audience would have known well! However, transcending all was the glorious voice of Wilhelmenia Fernandez, justifiably considered by many opera cognoscenti to be the grea-test Aïda of our time since she sang the role in Luxor, Egypt, in 1993.

Both Russian bass Gleb Nikolskiy as Ramfis and Hungarian mezzo Roberta Mattelli as Amneris put in equally superb performances which were well supported by Piero Giuliacci (Radames) and Walter Donati (Amonasro).

South Africans in supporting roles were Pierre du Toit, Elizabeth Lombard, John Eagar, Mauri Mostert and Kaizer Nkosi who were also engaged as covers (understudies) in case of illness.

The soloists joined the 37-strong team of artistic directors, designers, stage directors, technicians and production experts from over 20 different countries to assist in a 10-day preparation period.

Mark Hawkins, director of Durban's Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Company, co-ordinated the choreography which was by Brydon Paige from Canada.

DURBAN ARTS LUNCH HOUR CONCERTS

Head for the City Hall Steps every Wednesday lunch-time for the Durban Arts free lunch-hour concert which starts at 13h00. This month's programme on the City Hall Steps features isicathamiya music, fusion, umbhaqanga, soul music and maskanda.

Mar 3: Abafana Benduduzo. In 1992, a group of friends, relatives and school-mates decided to start an isicathamiya group which successfully passed an audition at the SABC in 1995 and their debut album Thatha Nqokonqoko was well received last year.

Group members are Zamokuhle Shandu (alto), Sphiwe P Ndlovu (bass), Mlungisi Ndlovu (tenor), Dumezweni Thwala (bass), Lungsani Mbakazi (bass), Mnikeni Ndlovu (bass), Simo Thwala (bass) and Vika Ndlovu (bass).

Abafana Benduduzo represented Ukhozi FM in Johannesburg in 1996 winning a certificate and a trophy for best performance of traditional ethic music. Thatha Nqokondoko have played at prestigious venues such as the ICC in Durban as well as appearing in the South African Music Village in London and Berlin in 1996. On their return to South Africa, the group decided that their future aim would be to educate the community about traditional music.

Mar 10: Slovas - An umxhoba nyawo group that sings in the style of Soul Brother will play keyboard, two guitars, a bass and drums. They dance and have three singers.

Mar 17: Stax - A group of six playing fusion and umbhaqanga who will perform their own compositions.

Mar 31: Amabhungu Amasha - maskanda music group. The group was formed in 1995 and its six members are all firm friends. Mika Msomi is the leader with Mandla Majolla on keyboard. Bhekanil, Thandi, Dumisani and Meyiwa are bass guitarists. The group have performed at Amandla kaZulu and Folweni Township.

BAROQUE 2000

Lovers of baroque music should take advantage of subscription tickets for the new Baroque 2000 season of 10 con-certs. Starting on March 28, they take place every last Sunday of the month at 11h00 at the Methodist Church, corner of Musgrave and St Thomas Roads.

The programme for the concert on March 28 is titled Music in Venice. Works include Gabrielli's Canzona for Brass and Strings and the Marcello oboe concerto with David Lloyd as soloist. Two Vivaldi works Concerto grosso and Magnificat with the Durban Chamber Choir make up the programme.

The full subscription price is R240 (20% discount) for reserved seats and R30 per concert at the door.

Details from Michel Schneuwly on 23-5539. email sursouth@iafrica.com

RAINBAT JAZZ

The popular Rainbat Jazz project takes place this month from March 26 to 28 with a concert at the BAT Centre on March 26 with a further concert at the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown on March 28.

KZNPO NEWS

The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra's 1999 World Symphony Series Summer Season is running in the Durban City Hall every Thursday until March 25.

On March 4, Conductor David Tidboald conducts an all-Tchaikovsky programme. Soloist Olga Pushechnikova will perform Piano Concerto No 1. Other works include Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, and Symphony No 6 (Pathétique).

The concert on March 18 will be con-ducted by Naume Rousine and features works by Beethoven. Artur Pizarro performs Piano Concerto No 1 while Hristo Kardjiev plays Romance for Violin and Orchestra No 2 in F Major.

The other work in this all-Beethoven programme is Symphony No 3 (Eroica).

The programme on March 25 is titled Opera in Concert and will be conducted by David Tidboald.

Soloists include Roberta Alexander (soprano) will appear with the KZN Chorale; Durban Serenade Choral Society; Lamontville Choral Society; and Chesterville Community Choir. The works to be performed include Overture, Parto, parto (La Clemenza di Tito); Porgi, amor (Le Nozze di Figaro); La ci darem la mano (Don Giovanni); O isi und Osiris; Papageno/Papageno duet (Die Zauberflöte); La forza del Destino; Pace, pace and Va pensiero (Nabucco); Humming Chorus (Madame Butterfly); and Cavalleria Rusticana; Voi lo sapete (Mascagni).

SUBSCRIBER

Take advantage of a discounted ticket offer and become a World Symphony Series subscriber by calling the KZNPO's hotline on 369-9404.

Booking for individual concerts is at Computicket outlets nationwide.

(NB Olga Pushechnikova will also perform a recital for the Friends of Music - see separate story)

NARNIA TALE

The Durban Singers Studio will present the Durban premiere of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a British musical by John McCabe based on the popular Tales of Narnia by C S Lewis. The show runs at Clifton Preparatory School from April 5 to 11 before going on to tour schools in KZN.

Conducted by KZNPO concert master Hristo Kardjiev and directed by Andrew Godbold, the show will be produced and musically directed by Stacey Almond who is artistic director of the DSS. The Playhouse Company will provide tech-nical support with sets and costumes.

Baritone Richard Salmon takes the role of Aslan the Lion and Stacey Almond will sing the White Witch. Tenor Trevor Khumalo sings Edmund, one of the four children, and talented 14 year-old Sarah Brandon sings Lucy, the main girl lead. Newcomer Sandile Molefe will take the part of Mr Beaver.

Musical backing is provided by Bobby Mills and Sareen Young.

Enquiries from Lyn Heaton on 903 5279.

Booking is already open at Computicket. Adults R20 (R15 teenagers and senior citizens/R10 children under 12).

SPLASHY'S TEN!

The Splashy Fen Music Festival celebrates 10 years with the 1999 event which is to be held at Underberg from April 29 to May 2 and the organisers plan a big bash to commemorate this milestone on South Africa's music calendar. This year will see the introduction of stronger security, a special children's marquee and exciting new stage developments to accommodate the musicians and bands who have played the festival in previous years.

The organisers are looking for a fresh injection of new South African bands

to play at the festival. Any band wanting to play at Splashy Fen should contact Pedro Carlo on 082 892 6176 or email c-weed@iafrica.com

Further enquiries to 23-9812 or email bartf@saol.com

IN MEMORIAM

D'ARTS sadly notes the passing of Peter Scott last month. He was part of the Durban scene for many years, both as a pianist and as the agent for Hammond organs. He was also well-known for his many appearances on the cabaret and lounge music circuit and, latterly, the cruise liners.

DURBAN FOLK CLUB

There is a varied line-up for the Durban Folk Club's Monday meetings at the Tusk Inn, 103 Sarnia Road at 20h00. Entrance R7 (members R3):

Mar 1: Folk Club Jam (first come, first play). Always a success - either a great listening or playing experience.

Mar 8: Ilan Lax & Friends - Pieter-maritzburg singer/guitarist.

Mar 15: Dave Atkinson & Friends - expect some really great harmonies.

Mar 22: Adult Art - Mally, Dave Atkinson & Co offer good rock ballads.

Details from Adi Paxton on 21-2515.

FOM HOSTS PIANISTS

Olga Pushechnikova

On March 2, the Friends of Music will host a recital by Russian pianist, Olga Pushechnikova. Born in Moscow to a family of musicians, she studied piano from the age of five at the Central Music School of Moscow and later at Conservatory. She made her concerto debut aged seven with the Yaroslavl Symphony Orchestre under celebrated conductor Vladimir Ponkin. By the age of 17, her repertoire included 15 piano concertos. Since then, she has recorded for radio and television and performed in many of the world's greatest concert venues with most of the top interna-tional orchestras.

Appropriately, as winner of the 1993 First International Rachmaninov Piano competition in Russia, she will perform Rachmaninov works for the FOM recital: Lilacs and Daisies as well as Hopak from "Sorochintsky Fair" by Mussorgsky, Lullaby (Tchaikovsky) and The Flight of the Bumblebee from "Tsar Saltan" (Rimsky-Korsakov).

LARA JONES

FOM will also host a performance by Lara Jones who will give a recital on March 16. Now studying in Germany and considered one of South Africa's

foremost young pianists, Lara is another of Durban's classical piano stars along with Christopher Duigan, Jonathan Oshry and Andrew Warburton.

Her programme will include works by Scarlatti, Schubert, Bartok, Debussy

and Schoenberg. (Lara Jones also appears with the KZNPO this month)

Lara Jones

Both recitals take place at 19h45 in the Durban Jewish Club, Old Fort Road. All welcome. Book at Computicket.

RIVETS JAZZ

Thursday jazz evenings at the Durban Hilton's Rivets bar regularly host an exciting variety of good local jazz bands.

On March 4, enjoy the unique sounds of lead guitarist Sazi Dlamini and his band Skokiana. Sazi Dlamini is an expert on the various township jazz styles and blends them to create rare music.

On March 11, the Darius Brubeck Quar-tet is featured. A teacher, composer international performer and well-known pianist, Darius Brubeck heads the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at UND.

Jeff Robinson, who tutors saxophone at UND, will play flute and all the saxes including the seldom-heard baritone on March 18 in an evening of cool jazz with some original compositions.

The last concert of the second season on March 25 features Sakhula, a hot eight piece band featuring Vusi Mkhize on lead guitar and vocals.

The music starts at 19h00 and runs until 22h00. There are prizes from Martell Brandy and entrance is free.

UND LUNCH HOURS

The University of Natal's music depart-ment holds regular free lunch-hour concerts during the academic term in Howard College at 12h15. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The March programme is as follows:

Mar 1: Chris Letcher and Matthew van der Want - `neo-folk' songs.

Mar 8: Simon Stengel and Friends.

Mar 10: David Smith and wind players from the KZNPO.

Mar 15: Jonathan Crossley - original guitar compositions.

Mar 26: lecture/demonstration by Nestor Kornblum: director Association of Sound Therapy and Harmonic Studies (Spain).

March 29: The Stuttgart Connection - new works from the Computer Music Studio and the Gerald LaPierre Electro-Acoustic Music Studio at UND.

Mar 31: Alfredo Stengel and David Smith - works for cello and piano.

There will be an evening concert on March 27 at 19h30 when Alfredo Stengel will perform two Bach suites for solo violoncello.

LOVE EMOTION

M-Net's latest CD Sound Check Love Emotion 2 available at most outlets features original artists performing their versions of 40 of the greatest love songs ever written - numbers such as Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie), Don't Go Breaking my Heart (Elton John and Kiki Dee), Love Changes Everything (Michael Ball), Magic Moments (Perry Como), Love is a Beautiful Song (Barry White) and, as Joe Dolan sings himself More and More and more and more ... !

JANE DOE

Popular band Jane Doe kick off their first tour north of KZN in Durban at Jamies on March 12. After appearing in Pretoria, Melville and Rosebank, Jane Doe returns to KZN to appear at Crash on March 24 and Zappa's in Pieter-maritzburg on March 27.

Details from Dave on 261-7497 (a/h).

SUNDAYS AT FIVE

Outdoor family sundowner variety con-certs will be held on March 7, 14 and 21 at the Hexagon Theatre on the University of Natal's campus in Pietermaritzburg.

For details phone 260-5537.

FRENCH ORCHESTRA

In a special non-subscription celebrity concert the highly-acclaimed Orchestre National de France will perform with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra at the Durban City Hall on March 10 at 19h30.

Internationally-celebrated conductor Charles Dutoit will conduct the KZNPO, the Orchestre National de France and soloist Olivier Charlier (violin) in an exciting all-French programme of famous concert classics.

Works will include Debussy's La Mer, Saint-Saëns Concerto No 3 for Violin and Orchestra, Roussel's Bacchus and Ariane Suite No 2 and Ravel's Bolèro.

KZNPO World Symphony Series Summer Season subscribers qualify for a special discount for this prestigious concert. Book at Computicket.

ST MARY'S MUSIC

This month, St Mary's DSG in Kloof will host two concerts at the school.

On March 16, there will be a student recital in the chapel while on March 20, there will be a violin concert at 10h00 in the school hall.

More details from 764-1337

JAZZ HAPPY HOURS

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the University of Natal holds regular Happy Hours on Wednesdays at 17h00. This month's programme includes Bag'aisane (March 3), Mageshen Naidoo Guitar Magic (March 10); Simon Bates & Sounds of the Sax (March 17) and the University of Karlsruhe big band from Germany in a special two-hour concert (March 24). Tickets R10 (R5 students) at the door. Details from 260-3385.

(NB: Programme is subject to change)

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