Bringing The World Together Through Music
Osmo Vänskä leads the music of Beethoven and Bongani Ndodana-Breen.
CAPE TOWN • DURBAN • PRETORIA • SOWETO • JOHANNESBURG
The Minnesota Orchestra is on a five-city tour of South Africa, marking the first visit to the country by a professional U.S. orchestra. Offered as part of the worldwide celebration of Nelson Mandela's Centenary, the tour will draw together South African and American performers and music, offering musical exchanges with student groups and large-scale performances in colleges, city halls and churches. The concerts will showcase music that derives from South African, American and European musical traditions, ranging from Beethoven’s Fifth and Ninth Symphonies to a world premiere by South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen, commissioned by Classical Movements and written in tribute to Mandela.
Follow along throughout the tour with updates here and on Facebook, and read all concert reviews and media coverage from the tour on our Press Room page.
MN Chorale in Johannesburg
In Johannesburg, 50-some members of the Minnesota Chorale—who arrived in this capital city on Sunday—met their choral counterparts from South Africa’s Gauteng Choristers for the first time.
Durban
The Orchestra landed in Durban on Saturday, August 11, immediately feeling the more temperate weather of this busy port city. A cheerful band of Orchestra wind players headed out Sunday morning to join the young musicians of the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band in rehearsal. Learn more about this collaboration and the full orchestra performance at the Durban City Hall.
Cape Town: Part 2
The spirit of Nelson Mandela was alive as the Minnesota Orchestra kicked off its South Africa Tour with a performance at Cape Town City Hall on Friday evening, August 10. Learn more about this performance and engagement activities with the Cape Town Youth Philharmonic and Eurecon Primary School.
Cape Town: Part 1
Minnesota Orchestra musicians arrived in bright and breezy Cape Town on Wednesday morning. The first two days were filled with a musical welcome, collaborations with students from the Cape Music Institute, and a humbling tour of Robben Island.
London’s BBC Proms
The Minnesota Orchestra made a triumphant return to the BBC Proms, the world’s largest classical music festival, with an all-American program.
Music That Inspires Us
Music awakens our strength and courage. It spreads hope and peace. Help us ensure that the magnificent music of the Minnesota Orchestra can continue to unite and uplift all of us for seasons to come. Support your Orchestra with a tax-deductible donation by August 31. Give today »
About This Concert:
Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra perform in Pretoria, South Africa.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- Goitsemang Lehobye, soprano
SIBELIUS
En Saga
NDODANA-BREEN
Harmonia Ubuntu
BERNSTEIN
Overture to Candide
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 5
Tickets available to the general public via Computicket.
Presented by Classical Movements, in association with the University of Pretoria, as part of the Music Department's 2018 Enrichment Festival, and the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra.
About This Concert:
Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra perform in Soweto, South Africa.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- Goitsemang Lehobye, soprano
- Minette Du Toit-Pearce, mezzo
- Siyabonga Maqungo, tenor
- Njabulo Madlala, bass-baritone
- Gauteng Choristers
- Minnesota Chorale
SIBELIUS
En Saga
NDODANA-BREEN
Harmonia Ubuntu
BERNSTEIN
Overture to Candide
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 9, Choral (final movement)
TRADITIONAL / arr. Khumalo / orch. Van Dijk
Akhala Amaqhude Amabili (for chorus and orchestra)
MATYILA/arr. Khumalo
Bawo Thixo Somandla (for chorus)
MOERANE/arr. Cock
Ruri (for chorus and orchestra)
MAVI/arr. MXADANA/orch. Kuusisto
Usilethela uxolo (Nelson Mandela) (for chorus and orchestra)
Tickets available to the general public via Computicket.
Presented by Classical Movements
About This Concert:
Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra perform in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- Goitsemang Lehobye, soprano
- Minette Du Toit-Pearce, mezzo
- Siyabonga Maqungo, tenor
- Njabulo Madlala, bass-baritone
- Gauteng Choristers
- Minnesota Chorale
BERNSTEIN
Overture to Candide
NDODANA-BREEN
Harmonia Ubuntu
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 9, Choral
Tickets available to the general public via Computicket.
Presented by Classical Movements, in association with Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.
The Minnesota Orchestra’s tour is funded by generous contributions from an anonymous couple.
The Minnesota Orchestra recognizes the Douglas and Louise Leatherdale Fund for Music supporting the work of Osmo Vänskä.
Tour Partners
Music for Mandela Corporate Consortium Sponsors
