The Secret Artist’s Club will be presenting ‘Bella Notte’ at the Brandkop Estate for a classy winter evening with a gourmet meal, a cosy fireplace and spellbinding Italian opera.
According to Diandra Steenekamp from The Secret Artist’s Club, to create an unforgettable experience of classical elegance, they have Sharon de Kock on violin, and those in charge of the operatic charm are soprano Emily Dangwa, alto Anisja Smit, tenor Thuso Stoffel, as well as baritone Tebello Tsalong. They will also welcome Jewel Voices and Esther van der Merwe on piano.
“The artists are from all walks of life, professional musicians, students and those who do not make their living from music. They are all exceptionally good at what they do and immensely appreciate the opportunity to share what they love. Everyone will be accompanied by Van der Merwe, an exceptional pianist and violinist. She is currently a teacher at St Michael’s School for Girls,” said Steenkamp.
She added that the programme will include arias from operas by Puccini, Donizetti, Mozart, and Verdi, to name just a few.
She further said De Kock will also be performing a few works for violin, like the famous Godfather theme. Steenkamp gave Bloemfontein Courant some background on each of the performing artists: “Sharon de Kock, a distinguished violinist and lecturer, has been an integral member of the Odeion String Quartet and a faculty member at the University of the Free State since 2008. Thuso Meshack Stoffel is a tenor and has sung in school choirs since primary school. He is currently honoured to be enrolled for an Advanced Diploma in Opera Studies at the Odeion School of Music.
“Emily Dangwa completed her undergraduate studies in opera and postgraduate studies in music performance at the University of Cape Town. In 2023, she was the soloist at the annual concerto festival and performed in Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio. Anisja Smit studied BA Music, majoring in Performance Practice and Classical Studies. Today, she regularly performs with The Rhapsody Orchestra while pursuing her MA in classical studies, which focuses on Music Education in Early Greece.”
The concert takes place on 6 July at 17:30, for 18:00. Tickets cost R400 and the dress code is black tie. Retro glamour is encouraged. Contact 072-726-8052 to book your spot.
“The evening has an Italian theme. All the operas are Italian and our menu of course includes pasta and tiramisu,” mentioned Steenkamp.
Justine Fortuin
