The Port Elizabeth Music Society has once again released an impressive concert schedule for the year, with internationally renowned performers destined for a turn in the Bay.
“The first concert for 2019 will see the exceptionally gifted Italian pianist, Mariangela Vacatello, perform for us on Tuesday February 5,” Music Society chair Dr Erika Bothma said.
Vacatello was born in Naples, Italy, into a family of musicians who introduced her to music at the age of four.
Her talent was further accelerated by studies at the Imola Piano Academy, Milan Conservatory and Royal Academy of Music in London, as well as by taking part in several master classes around the world with acclaimed professors.
Today she is an award-winning musician with an international career as a soloist.
The performers for March are also likely to impress.
“In 2018, I was privileged to be part of the adjudicating panel for the prestigious Atterbury Piano competition in Pretoria, where 18-year old Colette du Toit won,” Bothma said.
“I also heard Louis Nel, winner of the 2018 Arts Cape Competition, perform. I invited both to PE to perform for us on Sunday March 3.
"Joining them will be 10-year old pianist Weien Amy Lou, from Durban, who won the 2018 Hubert van der Spuy Music Competition – definitely something not to miss!”
Bothma said she was also looking forward the third concert, on Tuesday April 9, when she and Prof Albert Troskie would collaborate in a concert between the Feather Market Organ Society and the PE Music Society.
This will take place in the Dutch Reformed Church in Summerstrand and will also include solo performances and ensemble works by Troskie on organ, Bothma on piano, David Bester on violin, the NMU String ensemble, the NMU University Choir and others.
On Sunday May 5 Charl du Plessis and his trio return. Du Plessis, on piano, will be joined by Werner Spies on double bass and drummer Hugo Radyn.
“We are very privileged to be able to include in our 2019 series the exceptional talent of two Cape Town based artists: Liesl Stoltz (flute) and Prof Albie van Schalkwyk (piano).”
They will perform on Thursday August 1, and on Sunday August 4 Stoltz will perform as soloist with the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in the Feather Market Centre.
On Monday August 26, Yi-Jia Susanne Hou (violin) and Bryan Wallick (piano) get their turn.
“She was part of our 2015 concert series and I cannot wait to hear her again,” Bothma said.
“I am also very excited to be able to include the SA-born pianist Jan Hugo in our 2019 series. He will play for us on Thursday September 19.”
The society’s final concert on Wednesday October 23 will feature two exceptionally talented sopranos.
Fourteen-year old singing sensation Amira Willighagen, who became famous after she won a talent show in Holland, will join forces with seasoned SA multi-genre soprano Corlea Botha.
Vacatello’s upcoming concert will take place in the NMU South Campus Auditorium at 7.30pm.
Tickets at the door will be R95 (adults), R80 (pensioners), R40 (students) and R35 (pupils).
To become a Music Society member, and then pay a cheaper annual rate for concerts, e-mail society secretary Theresa Cunliffe at theresa.cunliffe@nmmu.ac.za