Elegance, poise, charm, passion, and regal flair. This is what music lovers can look forward to in Romance and Royals, the second concert of The Rhapsody Orchestra’s concert season on 1 and 2 June.
Conductor Lance Phillip and The Rhapsody Orchestra will be joined by the local choir cantando@Bloem, under the leadership of Louis van der Watt, to perform two religious works by Handel, “Zadok the Priest” and “The Dettingen Anthem”. The former will be well-known to audience members as the anthem used for the coronation of every British monarch since its composition in 1727, including that of King Charles III in May 2023.
In contrast to the majesty of these works, Bruch’s “Romance for Violin and Orchestra in A Minor”, with soloist Diandra Steenekamp, will captivate the listener with its emotional beauty, as will Mozart’s elegant and bright “Serenata Notturna”.
The program will conclude with the popular “Symphony No. 88” by Haydn. With its “perpetual-motion finale,” it is considered one of the composer’s most cheerful symphonies.
Something all the composers on the programme have in common, is that they were Germans who visited or lived in England and had a significant impact on the musical life there. Mozart performed for King George III, Haydn composed and conducted a series of symphonies for London, Bruch conducted the Liverpool Philharmonic Society for three years, and Handel was made Master of the King’s Music, even becoming a naturalised citizen.
In keeping with The Rhapsody Orchestra’s vision of providing audiences with accessible yet high-quality classical music, this concert is suitable for audience members of all ages, including those who have never experienced a classical orchestral concert. We promise a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for new and seasoned music lovers.
The programme will take place on Saturday, 1 June at 19:00 at the Odeion at the University of the Free State main campus, and again on Sunday, 2 June at 16:00 at the same venue.
Tickets cost R100 and children younger than 18 and pensioners older than 65 years pay R50. Tickets are available at the door or book on the WhatsApp number 073-651-2611.
