KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra

The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) is a professional orchestra based in Durban, South Africa.[1] It was founded in 1983 under the name Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO).[2]

Funding

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The KZNPO receives funding from the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Municipality, the national Department of Arts and Culture, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial Department of Arts and Culture,[3] South African National Lottery, the National Arts Council of South Africa, the Rupert Music Foundation and various individual donors.

Staff

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The orchestra's chief executive and artistic director is Bongani Tembe, who in 2019 celebrated 25 years in the position.[4] British musician Andrew Young was a member of the orchestra as clarinetist, bass clarinetist and saxophonist from September 1989 till April 1996.[5]

Repertoire

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In August/September 2009, the KZNPO accompanied soprano Renée Fleming on a concert tour to Durban, Pretoria and Cape Town.[6]

In April 2011, the orchestra played the world premiere of Bongani Ndodana-Breen's opera Winnie the Opera at the State Theatre, Pretoria, with soprano Tsakane Maswanganyi in the title role of Winnie Mandela.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "KZNPO National Youth Concerto Festival", September 2010, ClassicSA.co.za
  2. ^ Philip Harrison (January 2005). Arts & culture. New Africa Books. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-86486-565-6.
  3. ^ Thusi, Weziwe. "Budget Speech for 2009/10 delivered in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature by the Honourable Weziwe Thusi, MEC for Arts and Culture". Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Bongani Tembe: 25 years at the helm of the KZN Phil and so much more!". Creative Feel. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  5. ^ "About Andrew Young". Andrew Young. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  6. ^ Sinkins, Estelle (20 May 2009). "World renowned soprano Renee Fleming coming to SA". The Natal Witness. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  7. ^ Redvers, Louise (29 April 2011). "Winnie the Opera premieres with all eyes on Winnie the spectator". the Guardian. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
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