February 2, 2005
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE Pro Musica Orchestra turns 21 this year, and to celebrate its coming of age the orchestra will host two special birthday performances.
"We are at a stage where we feel that our work is good and entertaining," says Pro Musica's public relations and marketing co-ordinator, Cecile Doubell.
On Friday, 11 February and Sunday, 13 February the orchestra will put on a programme to delight music lovers - with wonderful Bach pieces and the beautiful Mozart aria Ah, lo previdi-Ah, t'invola -Deh, non varcar.
A highlight will be the performance of Bach's popular Brandenburg Concerto No.3, which the orchestra played in its first programme in 1984, and the Bach Concerto for Two Violins performed by Miroslav Chakaryan and Leonie Marais.
Soprano Hanli Stapela will sing the Ah, lo previdi-Ah, t'invola -Deh, non varcar aria as well as the Cantata No.84 by Bach, with the Pro Musica Opera Chorus.
The birthday performances will take place at the Pro Musica Theatre in Florida Park.
"The birthday celebration is for people to see how far we've gone and where we are heading," says Doubell.
The Pro Musica Orchestra is part of Pro Musica Productions, which incorporates the Pro Musica Opera Chorus, Pro Musica Company, and the Pro Musica Theatre.
The orchestra was founded in 1984, under the guidance of Weiss Doubell and a group of young musicians led by Ian van Rensburg and Wessel Beukes.
It had its first rehearsal on 11 February 1984 and has ever since served as the resident orchestra of Roodepoort.
The company regularly play for opera performances, as well as presenting a variety of stage productions from symphonic to oratorio pieces.
The orchestra has an international reputation, having performed all over the world - including in France at the invitation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
It has also played at a gala event in Johannesburg, hosted by Johannesburg mayor Councillor Amos Masondo, honouring Nelson Mandela, as well as co-producing an opera gala in the city with the Royal Norwegian National Opera.
The Pro Musica Orchestra is the breeding ground for many South African musicians.
The orchestra has been under the direction of Weiss Doubell since its formation.
Conductor Doubell graduated from the University of Potchefstroom, studying further in Hamburg and Berlin. He has worked under the world famous Professor Jürgen Jürgens and Dutch conductor Henri Arends d'Aranyi.
Under his guidance, Pro Musica Orchestra has an impressive operatic repertoire, including works like Der Freischütz, Ariadne auf Naxos, Tosca, La Bohéme, Madama Butterfly, Romeo et Juliette, and Die Luistigen Wieber von Windsor.
Doubell has been presented with a Nederburg Opera award and a special Vita award for his contribution in music in South Africa.
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