In the midst of all the artistic brilliance at the opening concert of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, music met generosity when a young bassoonist was surprised with a special gift and an affirming message.
Stellenbosch, South Africa (08 July 2025) – This year’s Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) has been a magical mix of new and old, guaranteed to excite and captivate beyond expectation.
The magic began on 4 July with a dazzling purple carpet reception, where Festival Director Peter Martens honoured the festival’s two-decade legacy and its special connection to the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and a special artwork by Gavin Rain, which will be erected in front of the Konservatorium building during this year’s festival.
The opening concert began with Max Richter’s ingenious reworking of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, featuring as soloist the incomparable wizard of the violin, Daniel Rowland. Roland was on top form, tugging at the heartstrings with his expressive and colourful playing.
In a truly heartwarming moment to an already beautiful evening, an unsuspecting young bassoonist from the University of Cape Town, Ofentse Segale, was presented with a new instrument, generously sponsored by over 160 donors.
Principal donor Alex Andersson, together with contributors Ekaterina Kornishina (SICMF faculty flautist) and maestro Michael Repper, presented the instrument, with the names of the sponsors forming the powerful message: “We Believe in You.”
The final piece on the night’s programme was Ravel’s Bolero, strategically chosen to introduce the illustrious SICMF faculty artists one by one. The artists were led on stage by Figure of 8 dancers, in a piece built up much like a flash mob.
The artists were dressed in garments designed by ERRE Fashion for the ladies, whilst the men’s outfits were adorned by ERRE’s fabric cutoffs designed by Roman Handt to give their ordinary concert attire a whole new look.
The audience was on their feet, chanting and applauding, at which point Artistic Director Nina Schumann brought on a birthday cake for faculty violinist Ian Watson!
The Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Concerts have a spirit like no other, and this was the most glamorous opening night ever! For those concerts that are not yet sold out, tickets are available from Webtickets.
SICMF runs until 13 July, the full programme can be viewed at www.sicmf.co.za
Sources: Supplied
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