Durban 13 Dec 2025 – Mzansi Philharmonic Voices of Home
13 December @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Durban is set to host an unforgettable night of music when the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra brings its acclaimed Voices of Home national tour to the Playhouse Opera Theatre on 13 December 2025 at 15:00. This highly anticipated concert forms part of the orchestra’s most expansive tour to date, celebrating the spirit, rhythm, and brilliance of South Africa while connecting with global artistry.
Led by internationally celebrated conductor Marin Alsop, the performance features the captivating Abel Selaocoe on cello, joined by master percussionist Bernhard Schimpelsberger. Together, they weave a programme that fuses South African soul with reimagined classical tradition, offering audiences a transcendent musical experience.
A Programme of Heritage and Innovation
The evening begins with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, a lively opener filled with jubilant energy, followed by Laura Karpman’s All American, a modern work that embodies innovation and spirit.
The centrepiece of the programme is Selaocoe’s Four Spirits Cello Concerto, a work that channels memory, rhythm, joy, and resistance. Deeply rooted in his South African heritage, the concerto is both a personal and cultural reflection, bridging classical traditions with African storytelling.
The concert concludes with Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2, an iconic Romantic masterpiece renowned for its lush melodies and sweeping emotions — ensuring the evening ends on a powerful and emotional high.
Programme Details
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Soloist: Abel Selaocoe (cello), with Bernhard Schimpelsberger (percussion)
Repertoire:
- Dmitri Shostakovich – Festive Overture
- Laura Karpman – All American
- Abel Selaocoe – Four Spirits Cello Concerto (arr. Benjamin Woodgates)
- Sergei Rachmaninov – Symphony No. 2
Venue & Parking Information
- Parking: Secure parking is available at the Royal Hotel, with entrances from uLundi Place or Victoria Embankment. Pre-validated parking tickets (R15 per ticket) will be sold at the Playhouse Box Office.
- No Under-3s Allowed
The Voices of Home concert is more than a performance — it is a call across generations and borders, blending historic echoes with contemporary expression. Durban audiences are invited to witness a night where South African heritage and world-class artistry unite on stage.
Purchase Ticket:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/331132-durban-13-dec-25-mzansi-philharmonic-orchestra/?ref=organiser-profile#/Related Events
