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Johan de Villiers returns to the podium on 15 & 16 November in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch where he will conduct a 110-strong choir of mostly ex-Libertas Choir members, accompanied by a professional orchestra under concert master Petri Salonen, with Zorada Temmingh at the organ.
First a performance will be given of the Stabat Mater (depicting Mary’s sorrow at the Cross) by the renowned contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins, in which Minette du Toit-Pearce will be the contralto soloist. In this work consisting of 12 parts , the standard liturgical text in Latin is interspersed with choral singing in languages from a variety of cultural origins, often focusing on the Middle East, and with accompaniment enhanced by ethnic instruments.
After interval, the first performance will be given of Christmas Joy, a collection of old favourite and less familiar carols, arranged for choir and orchestra by Zorada Temmingh. Carols from different cultures are sung in their original languages, with contrasting themes-of snow and sun, singing and silence, crib and Child, peace and joy.
