MEDIA RELEASE - FSSO’s Resident conductor and renowned South African pianist headline 1st Symphony Concert for 2019!

Conductor: Alexander Fokkens

Soloist: Francois du Toit (piano)

Date: Thursday, 14 February 2019

Time: 19:30

Venue: Sand du Plessis theatre, Pacofs

Pianist Francois Du Toit returns to Bloemfontein to perform with the Free State Symphony Orchestra (FSSO) on February the 14th at Pacofs’ imperial Sand du Plessis theatre, with Alexander Fokkens at the helm of the orchestra. The programme which features Rimsky-Korsakov’s mystical Scheherazade based on 1001 Nights, also known as The Arabian Nights, whose tales of Aladdin, Ali Baba, Sindbad the Sailor and many others, have almost become part of Western folklore. The oriental-themed symphonic music that evokes a sense of the fairy-tale adventure, Elgar’s passionate Salut d’Amour, together with the intriguing Piano Concerto by Grieg, are part of the programme and will set the tone for yet another scintillating year for the FSSO. The concert is from 7:30pm and is set to be the ideal romantic Valentine’s Day activity.

Francois du Toit is hailed as one of South Africa’s finest pianists, chamber musicians and music educators. He has appeared as an acclaimed concerto soloist with all the orchestras in South Africa since the age of 15, and while still a student in 1988 was selected with Steven De Groote to perform with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra on tour in the Republic of China. An Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Cape Town where he is also Head of Practical Studies, Francois regularly gives masterclasses internationally, and serves as an external examiner.

The pianist’s last appearance with the FSSO was in September 2016, his performance on February the 14th is not to be missed and tickets are available at the Pacofs booking office 051 447 7772.

Admission:

Ticket prices are:

Adults - R100;

Children and scholars 3 to 18 years R40.

Tickets are available from Pacofs booking office 051 447 7772.

For enquiries, contact the FSSO on 051 401 2342, or visit the FSSO’s Facebook page (@ Free State Symphony Orchestra) for more information on the concert and regular updates.

This event is made possible through funding by the National Lotteries Commission and is in partnership with Pacofs.