CARMINA BURANA 2023

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The Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town presents Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at the Cape Town City Hall on Friday 9 June at 20h00 and Saturday 10 June 20h00.

Carl Orff's Carmina Burana is a majestic and powerful choral work that has captivated audiences for decades. Composed between 1935 and 1936, Carmina Burana draws inspiration from a collection of mediaeval poems written in Latin, Middle High German, and Old Provençal, known as the Carmina Burana manuscripts. These manuscripts were discovered in a monastery in Bavaria, Germany, and Orff's composition brings these ancient texts to life with dynamic melodies, captivating rhythms, and evocative lyrics.

The sheer magnitude of Carmina Burana is awe-inspiring, using imaginative orchestral and choral forces to create a rich and immersive musical experience.

The work is renowned for its bold and dramatic opening movement, "O Fortuna," which has become one of the most recognisable and iconic pieces of classical music. Its driving rhythms and sweeping melodies set the tone for the rest of the piece, which spans a wide range of emotions, from joyous celebration to tender intimacy to passionate longing.

Part of what makes Carmina Burana is Orff’s ability to present us as we are. It is an accurate reflection of the human condition rather than an aspirational spiritual work. The lyrics, witty and often irreverent, touch on themes of love, fate, fortune, and the transient nature of life. Orff's composition skilfully combines elements of classical, folk, and mediaeval music to create a unique and compelling sound that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.

With its grandiosity and emotional depth, Carmina Burana continues to be a beloved and enduring work in the classical repertoire. Its timeless appeal and universal themes make it a testament to the enduring power of music to evoke powerful emotions, transport listeners to another time and place, and connect with the human experience.

Conductor: Richard Haigh

Soloists:

Soprano – Elizabeth Catharina

Tenor – Willem Bester

Bass – William Berger

Percussion Ensemble: ERGONOMIX Percussion Ensamble lead by Frank Mallows

Pianists: Sandra Kettle-Loubser & Francois du Toit

Secure parking is available ONLY on the Grand Parade, at the City Hall end, where there will be guards with dogs.

No Disabled access to Balcony and Bays (upstairs).

Wheelchair access to City Hall and Stalls (downstairs)

DIRECTIONS