MUSIC lovers in Graaff-Reinet have the opportunity to see world-renowned pianist, Ammiel Bushakevitz and soprano, Laetitia Grimaldi, perform at the John Rupert Theatre (JRT) on Friday, November 22.
Since her Carnegie Hall debut in 2013, Grimaldi has sung in many renowned halls, on opera stages and at international festivals worldwide, like the Kennedy Center (USA), Shanghai & Forbidden City Concert Halls (China), and the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence (France).
In 2017, she was awarded the first prize in three international competitions in Montreal, Canada, Bordeaux, France, and the Concours International Pro Musicis in Paris.
Born in France, Grimaldi spent her childhood in Lisbon and London. After beginning her vocal studies with Teresa Berganza, she continued her education with Lorraine Nubar in New York City.
In October 2018, Naxos released a DVD of the opera Les Fêtes de l’Hymen et de L’amour, in which Grimaldi performs the lead role.
Recent performances include extensive reci-tal tours in China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, as well as performances with orchestras in Canada, Brazil, England and at the Château de Versailles.
Bushakevitz was born in Jerusalem, Israel, and raised in George, South Africa.
He has appeared at festivals in Salzburg, Bayreuth, Lucerne and Montreal, the Festival Pontino di Latina in Rome, the Pablo Casals Festival in Barcelona, the Jerusalem Schubertiade and the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, in France.
Passionate about education, Bushakevitz has been invited to present masterclasses at universities in Australia, Spain, China, New Zealand and the USA.
In 2013, Bushakevitz released his debut solo CD, recorded at the Salle Fleuret in Paris. He has since released seven commercial recordings to critical acclaim and five-star reviews. His recording of Schubert’s Six Moments Musicaux was used as the soundtrack of the 2017 Austrian film, Gwendolyn.
Bushakevitz is an alumnus of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, a member of the Société des Arts Sciences et Lettres de Paris, a member of the International Hugo Wolf Academy and an honorary member of the International Richard Wagner Society.
The two acclaimed musicians will grace the boards of the John Rupert Theatre on Friday, November 22. The show starts at 18:00 and tickets at R100 per person can be obtained from the Graaff-Reinet Tourism Office on 049 892 4248.
