The Youth Music Festival dates back to the opening of the then known Nico Malan Theatre in 1971. That year, David Tidboald formed an orchestra to serve the theatre’s opera, ballet and other performing arts productions. He also conceived the Youth Music Festival, creating an annual opportunity for outstanding young instrumentalists and singers to perform with a professional orchestra. Following the amalgamation of the CAPAB Orchestra and the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra in 1997, and the establishment of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) in 2000, the festival continued under the joint banner of the CPO and the renamed Artscape Theatre Centre.
This year, the annual Youth Classical Concert celebrates its 55th year at Artscape on 5th September at 7pm. Twelve highly accomplished young classical music instrumentalists and singers, who successfully auditioned, will perform as soloists with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brandon Phillips.
Presented by Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), supported by the City of Cape Town, this prestigious concert is a highlight on the classical music calendar. It serves as an important launching pad in performing with a symphony orchestra on a professional theatre stage and is a significant milestone in the careers of these young musicians.
Audiences will hear beautiful concertos by Ravel, Mozart, Shostakovich, Hofmeyr, Weber, Ibert, Khachaturian and Donizetti with arias by Saint-Saëns and Handel.
The soloists aged between 12 and 22 include: pianists Giorgia Ehlers (19), Alexander McIvor (18), siblings Xizhi Aiden Luo (15) and Weien Amy Luo (18). Raised in Lima, Peru, cellist Solange Rojas (22), marimba Kyrah Adams (20), clarinet Benjamin Monvoisin (12), euphonium Kumkani Kabane (20) and saxophone James Cilliers (20). Singers are Sopranos Phoebe Damons (20) and Sinesipho Tokwe (19), mezzo-soprano Lilitha Nkuku (20).
In preparation for the concert, each soloist receives comprehensive mentoring from Brandon Phillips. He is Resident Conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Head of Woodwinds at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town, and conductor of the UCT ensembles. He also served for many years as conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
This year marks the 11th Youth Classical Concert that Brandon Phillips will conduct.
Since the inception of the Youth Classical Concert, over 600 young musicians have had the opportunity of performing with the CPO. Many today are soloists or members of South African and international symphony orchestras and opera companies. This year a record number of 75 applications to audition were received.
Ticket prices for Adults are R100, Pensioners, R50.
Book through WEBTICKETS or Artscape-Dial-Seat 021 421 7695.
Block bookings 5 or more R80. Students & Scholars R50
Book with Artscape-Dial-Seat 021 421 7695. Age restriction five years and under.
