24-26 MARCH 2023
TANKWA
CLASSICS
– Open Air Theatre –
Welcome
Place of Dreams together with our
Talented musicians are excited
To present:
Tankwa Classics 2023
24-26 MARCH 2023
In the words of Confucius, “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”
TANKWA CLASSICS 2023 invites you to join us as we celebrate the arts and music amid the picturesque Karoo hinterland,
underneath a million karoo stars, in our million-year-old canyon. In a celebration of the senses, our programme brings together, wind ensembles, pianists, cellists, opera singers, and lutes – all in combination with delicious cuisine, in the heart of
the Tankwa Karoo.
Sleep under the stars, or ‘glamp’ it up with a range of accommodation options. In-between performances, enjoy our ‘karoo-style’ infinity dam, nature walks or take a stroll along our art walk, to the infamous canyon – won – whatever the heart desires. If you are a lover of nature, breath-taking classical musical performances, stargazing, open spaces, and the tech-free, fresh air –then this is a weekend not to be missed!
Elna Van der Merwe, our musical director, together with our group of acclaimed musicians, are busy creating an unforgettable musical program for 2023. This will be announced in due course.
Place of Dreams cannot wait to share this truly magical experience with you!
Programme & Musicians
Instrumentalists
PETRUS DE BEER
Is a classically trained violinist (MMus RSAMD) who resides in Paarl, South Africa. He worked for the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra as a principal player and taught at various top music schools. Currently he freelances in various combinations and styles, ranging from Classical, Blues and Jazz. as a sought after session player he made numerous recordings for Television, radio, CD and DVD.
ZANTA HOFMEYR
Graduated from the Juilliard School of Music in New York. After her New York debut in the Carnegie Recital Hall in her final year, she returned to South Africa to pursue a career as a concert artist and teacher. She regularly appears as soloist with orchestras and performs chamber music and duo repertoire with musicians in South Africa and the USA. She has been on the faculties of three South African universities and also acts as adjudicator for competitions locally and abroad. She has made several recordings with various artists. Zanta is the patron of the Thabang Ka Mmino music programme and in 2003 a rose was named after her.
SUZANNE MARTENS
Studied with Alan Solomon (South Africa), Jan Repko (The Netherlands) and Lavard Skou-Larsen (Austria). She has held principal positions in orchestras since 1994, the most recent being guest concertmaster of the CPO. She has appeared with several orchestras as soloist and has been a member of numerous chamber music groups. She is currently appointed as senior lecturer in Violi
PHILIP MARTENS
completed his Performers Diploma and B. Mus. Honours Degree at the University of Cape Town under the direction of Jürgen Schwietering and Farida Bacharova respectively. Philip has been playing in various ensembles and featured as a soloist with the Cape Town Baroque ensemble, Tinta Barocca and The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Philip was appointed as Concert Master of The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in 2020 after moving up through the ranks over the last 22 years. He also enjoys playing chamber music with the Amici Quartet alongside his brother and sister-in-law, Dr Peter and Dr Suzanne Martens.
JEANNE-LOUISE MOOLMAN
Is the violist of the Odeion String Quartet at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. She is also senior lecturer at the University of the Free State. She was appointed as violist of the Odeion String Quartet after many years as principal violist in many professional orchestras in South Africa. As a soloist she performed with many South African orchestras. Jeanne-Louise is an experienced chamber musician and performs regularly with some of South Africa’s foremost musicians. Many South African composers have composed works for Jeanne-Louise, She has performed at four International Viola Congresses: Stellenbosch, Rotterdam, Rochester, New York.In June 2022 she did an online lecture recital for the 47th International Viola Congress at Columbus State University.
KARIN GAERTNER
Was principal violist of the former Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. Her studies include a B.Sc from UCT and a Performer’s Diploma from the conservatoire “Claudio Monteverdi” in Italy, as well as various master classes in Europe whilst living and working there as an ad-hoc member of both the “Orchestra del teatro lirico di Cagliari” (Sardinia, Italy) and the “Orchestra Haydn” (Bolzano, Italy). She is an active Chamber musician and regular member of the Amici String Quartet as well as many other free-lance chamber groups and ad-hoc orchestras.
SUSAN MOUTON
Studied at the University of Pretoria under Gerard van de Geest. She was the recipient of the Pretorium Trust bursary and one of the winners of the SA Music Scholarship. She joined the National Symphony Orchestra (1983) and was appointed Principal Cellist in 1987. She studied with Marian Lewin while completing her Performer’s Diploma at Wits University and was one of the winners of the UNISA Overseas Study Bursaries in 1987. Since 2000, she has been Principal Cellist of the JPO. In 2001, she was on the jury for the National String Competition, and in 2010, she was chosen as String Specialist on the jury for the International String Competition.
PETER MARTENS
SAMA award winning cellist
Studied at Stellenbosch University and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Peter is currently the Director of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival and principal cellist of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. He performs concertos and recitals all over South Africa and enjoys chamber music partnerships with a number of artists worldwide. His numerous CDs are released internationally on the Meridian, Cello Classics and 2Pianists labels.
LIESL STOLTZ
Is a freelance, classical flutist and part-time lecturer at the University of Cape Town. She studied in South Africa, France and Italy and won various national and international awards. Liesl regularly performs at festivals and tertiary institutions in South Africa and in Europe. She is a founder-director of the Rainbow Exchange NPC and a Yamaha South Africa artist. She recorded several CDs including “Explorations – South African Flute Music” which received the creative output award from the Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences in 2017.
ELNA VAN DER MERWE
Was a full time accompanist and part time piano lecturer at the Conservatory of the University of Stellenbosch until 2001. Since then she is an ad hoc pianist and sought-after collaborative artist for local as well as international artists. She has recorded many cd’s with various artists and performed in all the major festivals in the country.
Singers
MINETTE DU TOIT-PEARCE
Cape Town born Mezzo-soprano MINETTE DU TOIT-PEARCE has been entertaining audiences for almost two decades. Although she is well known for her contribution to art song performance she is also sought after as oratorio singer and has performed with all of the major orchestras in South Africa. She has sung in England, Austria, France and most recently in America with the Minnesota Orchestra. She is the Head of the Singing Division at Stellenbosch University where she lectures voice. She has a keen interest in teaching and has presented master classes not only locally but also in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
LYNELLE KENNED
Graduate of the UCT Opera School under the tutelage of Prof Virginia Davids, is a Multidisciplinary Performing Artist, TV Presenter, Corporate MC, Actress and Media Personality. Her list of awards include the Kunste Onbeperk YOUNG VOICE 2019, a 2018 Naledi Award, a Fiësta Award in 2017, a Fleur du Cap Award in 2016, and in 2022, a Woordtrofee along with being a recipient of the Global Spotlight Honoree Award. Performances include Maria in “West Side Story”, Maria in “The Sound of Music”, Mattie Allen in “Orpheus in Africa”, Musetta in “La Boheme”, Julie in “Showboat”, Cherubino in “Le nozze di Figaro”, and Grace in the world premiére of “Calling Me Home”.
ZANNE STAPELBERG
What the critics say: ” ZANNE STAPELBERG will mesmerize you, entice you, cajole you and ensnare you in her captivating recital of Spanish songs… Stapelberg uses every possible vocal inflection and fibre in her being to interpret a range of Spanish songs with fervour and alluring theatricality. This is not mere singing; it is drama emanating right from the core of her sensibilities… The zeal with which Stapelberg approaches thus recital proves that she does not see her craft as a job or a calling – it is far more than that – her passion for performance is the essential ingredient in her life. She remains one of South Africa’s most prolifically talented and engaging artists.
(Jeff Brukman in Cue – Grahamstown National Arts Festival)
CONROY SCOTT
Started his musical training at an early age learning to play all recorders, piano, flute and clarinet. He furthered his studies at the University of Cape Town’s Opera School and took up the double bass. He regularly plays as an ad-hoc player with all major South African orchestras, teaches both double bass and voice. Conroy has done vocal master classes and voice lessons across South Africa, has performed all over the world, and participated in numerous competitions and master classes. In 2017 he returned from Spain after 6 years performing with the critically acclaimed group Soul Avenue. He has appeared as bass soloist oratorios such as Mozart’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, for which he received the Woordtrofees (2018) for best classical vocal performance, Verdi’s Requiem at the 2019 Woordfees.
NIËL RADEMAN
Is a highly acclaimed South African singer of cabaret, crossover, and classical music. He works with the best singers in the country such Minette du Toit Pearce, Lynelle Kenned, Janel Speelman and Zanne Stapelberg. He performed in Europe multiple times where he was applauded with standing ovations (Vienna, Den Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Bern – Switserland, Boussac – France and the West End in Londen). Mr Rademan forms part of the sought after “Classical to Cabaret” trio with virtuoso musicians; Elna van der Merwe (piano) and Piet de Beer (violin).
LOUIS LOOCK
Flying addict LOUIS LOOCK is a tenor who has become known for his sensitive and powerful approach to singing light classical music. With vocal training received under well known vocal teacher, Nellie du Toit, an Honours Degree in Physical Theatre and Mime, talent as a writer and painter, actor in musicals and international advertising, Louis is one of South Africa’s most versatile and sought after artists in South Africa. From 2008 till 2013 Louis formed part of the group Romanz, who was invited to perform at the wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Packages
*All costs are per person sharing
BYO CAMPING POD 2 – R2650 PP
BYO (Bring Your Own)
1km distance from POD 1 main camp
Included:
– 1 x entry ticket
– 4 x Buffet meals
– Access to braai facilities
– Access to ablution facilities
Excluded:
– Bring your own camping tent, shade and all camping equipment
BYO CAMPING POD 1 – R2950 PP
BYO (Bring Your Own)
By the main camp
Included:
– 1 x entry ticket
– 4 x Buffet meals
– Access to braai facilities
– Access to ablution facilities
Excluded:
– Bring your own camping tent, shade, and all camping equipment
TENT UNDER SHADE POD 1 – R4700 PP
*Single supplement R6800 (i.e. should you take this as a non-sharing option, it will cost R6800)
Included:
– 1 x entry ticket – 4 x Buffet meals
– 1 x already set-up luxury dome tent for 2 under shade. Each tent comes equipped with high quality double or 2 x single mattresses and a camp light
– Access to a communal shade area with a table, power point and standing chandelier
– Access to braai facilities
– Access to ablution facilities
Excluded:
– Bedding, Towels, Camping chairs
GLAMPING POD 1 – R5900 PP
*Single supplement R8000 (i.e. should you take this as a non-sharing option, it will cost R8000)
Included:
– 1 x entry ticket
– 4 x Buffet meals
– 1 x already set-up luxury dome tent for 2 under shade.
– Each tent comes equipped with high quality double or 2 x single mattresses and a camp
light, bedside tables, electric lights and multiplug point.
– Tents are equipped with basic bedding (fitted sheet, top sheet, blanket and pillows)
– Access to a communal shade area with a table, power points, standing chandelier, communal fridge, coffee station and water cooler.
– Access to luxury glamping ablution facilities
– 2 x camping chairs
– Access to braai facilities Excluded: Personal bedding & Towels
Excluded: Personal bedding & Towels
ROUND ROOMS POD 1 – R7900 PP
Included:
– 1 x entry ticket – 4 x Buffet meals
– The Round Room is a stylish 2 bedroomed cottage for 4 persons.
– Offers a fully kitted out kitchen and personal bathroom.
– 2 x camping chairs, 2 x double beds with bedside tables
– Room fans, Electric lights and power points
– Access to all Pod 1 facilities.
VEHICLE PASSES
Rooftop tents – R1500
RV’s & Campers – R2000
Trailer and car – R2000
Catering
A delicious Karoo inspired menu featuring an evening harvest table and breakfast buffet. Vegetarian options will be available, and we ask that you kindly share any special dietary requirements with us in advance, as soon as possible.
Guided Walk
GUIDED WALK – SATURDAY MORNING
The two hour guided bush walk will be led by Jacques Tredoux
Discover the natural beauty of the Tankwa Karoo, its geological secrets, botanical treasures, and develop an appreciation for Karoo wildlife and birds. Become aware of the trials and adaptations of these living gems, as you touch, smell, and observe, absorbing information that will break open these wonders of life.
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
AVRIL: 082 738 6102
podkaroo@gmail.com
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
ELNA: 072 106 9858
elna@topshell.co.za