Cape Town – Music lovers are in for a treat as the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) is set to open the Maynardville Open-Air Festival in Wynberg later this month with work that transcends the magic of the park.
The orchestra, under the direction of resident conductor Brandon Phillips, will perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, the dreamy music Mendelssohn wrote as a setting to the Shakespearian play.
The concerts will take place at in the Maynardville Park on January 19, 20 and 21 at 8:15pm.
The festival, back after a three-year hiatus and running until March 5, includes “A Midsummer Nights’ Dream” and performances by Cape Town Opera and Cape Town City Ballet.
Founder of choral group, Vox Cape Town, John Woodland is expected to narrate sections from Shakespeare’s immortal works.
“The four delicate, magical, transformative chords that open Mendelssohn’s score to ”A Midsummer Night’s Dream“ are instantly recognisable and urge us to suspend our disbelief.
“Immediately, we are transported through space and time to Shakespeare’s ethereal world of scurrying fairies, waylaid lovers and mistaken identities,” said Woodland.
Music includes the beloved Wedding March as well as the overture, which dates from 1826 when Mendelssohn was just 17.
Performers include the women of Vox Cape Town and sopranos Lauren Pharaoh and Setsoane Jeannette Nseki.
CPO chief executive Louis Heyneman said: “For several years until Covid brought artistic performances to a standstill, the CPO was an integral part of the Maynardville Festival, offering the joy of superb accessible music for the enjoyment of diverse and packed audiences.
“We are delighted to be bringing one of the most glorious works to life.”
Picnics can be pre-ordered on the Quicket site when booking tickets, and patrons can enjoy a range of food and drinks from the Maynardville Evening Food Market.
Tickets are available at: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/193259-maynardville-open-air-festival-2023/#
Cape Times