The 85-piece strong Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra has arrived in Cape Town, following their highly successful full-house opening night at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg.

Bongani Tembe, the orchestra’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director said: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to our event in Johannesburg and would like to thank our audiences for their support. Mzansi Philharmonic is passionate about bringing people together through the power of music, and the concert in Johannesburg was no exception.”

In addition to flagship performances, the orchestra is also utilising the tour to further its community impact, broadening the orchestra experience of young musicians. In Cape Town, some of its musicians will visit the Hugo Lambrecht Music Centre where young music students from the centre and other partner organisations (including Handevat Music and the Western Cape Youth Orchestra) will have the opportunity to receive masterclasses from Mzansi Philharmonic musicians. In addition, musicians from the orchestra will also visit Beau Soleil — a specialised music education and training centre in Cape Town.

“We’re determined that our partnerships with various orchestras and youth music programmes should extend beyond mere financial support. We’re committed to link arms and work together in creating a successful orchestral ecosystem in the country.” said Tembe.

In Gqeberha, the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra will host a community concert at the Feather Market Centre on the morning prior to its performance. More than 500 learners from around 14 schools are expected to join the event. At this concert, which will be conducted by Kutlwano Masote, the orchestra will perform classical favourites and explain how the orchestra works through instrument demonstrations of each orchestral section.

The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra’s South African tour, Powerful Harmony, continues in Cape Town at the City Hall tonight and in Gqeberha at the Feather Market Centre on Monday, August 14. The programme, which features soprano star Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha performing popular arias from grand operas in the first half, and Mahler’s iconic Symphony No. 5 in the second, will be conducted by dynamic U.S. conductor, Joseph Young.

Tickets for Cape Town and Gqeberha are still available through Quicket.