A stellar line-up of soloists will bring additional shine to the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra when they visit South Africa in May 2025.
Under the auspices of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, The UMSO serves as a training ground for gifted young musicians, many of whom go on to significant careers in major symphony orchestras, opera houses, and chamber music ensembles and as leading educators.
Under the baton of Kenneth Kiesler, who has been at the helm of The University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra (UMSO) as its music director and conductor, since 1995, the UMSO is considered one of the world’s finest student orchestras.
Soloists on the bill
Soloists for the tour will include renowned bass-baritone and tenured Professor of Music at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Daniel A. Washington, 2025 Grammy award-winner soprano, Karen Slack and South Africa’s own star soprano, Goitsemang Lehobye.
Audiences are in for a treat, as the tour takes the UMSO across the country – from the University of Pretoria, to Soweto and Jozi, before moving on to Stellenbosch and the Cape Town City Hall for its final performance.
Tour our itinerary:
* Wednesday May 21, 2025, 19:00
CONCERT I: Aula, University of Pretoria
* Friday May 23, 2025, 19:00
CONCERT II: Regina Mundi Church, Soweto
* Saturday May 24, 2025, 16:00
CONCERT III: Linder Auditorium, University of the Witwatersrand/JCE, Johannesburg
* Monday May 26, 2025, 19:00
CONCERT IV: Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, Parow, W Cape
* Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 19:30
CONCERT V: Cape Town City Hall
This tour is brought to South Africa by Classical Movements, the premier concert tour company for the world’s great orchestras and choirs and the power behind the Ihlombe Choral Festival, the biggest international choral gathering in South Africa, as well as Tours for the Minnesota Orchestra, the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and many others. Classical Movements creates meaningful cultural experiences through music in 147 countries.
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra Programme
BERNSTEIN On the Waterfront Suite
GERSHWIN Porgy and Bess
Summertime (opening of the opera w/cut to beginning of the aria) (Goitsemang Lehobye)
I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’ (Daniel Washington)
My Man’s Gone Now (Karen Slack)
Bess, You Is My Woman Now (Daniel Washington and Karen Slack)
Intermission
WILLIAM DAWSON Negro Folk Symphony
CARL DAVIS, arr. Deep River (Daniel Washington)
HALE SMITH, arr. Witness (K. Slack and G. Lehobye)
SIDUMO NYAMEZELE Bawo Thixo Somandla (a capella)
Plea for Africa (Goitsemang Lehobye, with K.Slack and D.Washington)
What: University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra South Africa Tour
Info: Here
Book tickets: Here
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