KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra
In 2017, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) (formerly the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra) is one of South Africa’s two full-time professional orchestras. (The other is the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.)
Background
Based in the city of Durban and the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra is a Not-For-Profit Company and Public Benefit Organisation, widely regarded as one of Africa’s premier orchestras. Consisting of full-time professional musicians who come from more than 12 countries, the Orchestra has, over the past 4 decades, earned a reputation for excellence and innovation amongst South African orchestras. A strong vision of high artistic values combined with a comprehensive education and community upliftment programme positions the KZN Philharmonic as one of the leading arts organisations in the country. The Orchestra is funded by multiple levels of government and also receives support from the private sector, foundations, and individual donors.
History
Established for NAPAC by Rodney Phillips in 1983 as the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and housed in the Durban Playhouse.
The Orchestra performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on 22 October 1983 at their opening concert.
The restructuring of the Playhouse Company, due to disbandment of the Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC), forced its resident orchestra to form a Section 21 Company. The orchestra adopted a new name, KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO), and the Board of directors was appointed to guide the new venture. From June 2000 to January 2001 the KZNPO was the only full-time orchestra operating in the country. Its stability was based on strong links with regional and provincial funding resources. In 2002 the agreement to state fund the orchestras in three different provinces was reached and the KZNPO was the first orchestra to receive the R3 million annual grant from the Department of Arts and Culture.
Education and development
KZNPO’s education and development portfolio includes the following activities:
- KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra (KZNYO)
- National Cadetship Programme (NCP)
- Omnibus concerts
- Rural residencies
- Schools programmes
- Teaching
- Young performers
- Youth festival
Productions
1998: Faust (Opera Africa)
2011: Winnie, the Opera (State Theatre)
2015: Ubuntu – The Opera (Esayidi FET College in collaboration with Bravo Africa Entertainment)
Sources
Odile Marissa Lesch. 2017. 'The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s Youth Development & Education Programme and its contribution to transformation and diversity within the CPO'. Unpublished Masters thesis. Stellenbosch University.
Polina Burdukova. 2010. 'An analysis of the status of orchestras in South Africa'. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Pretoria.
'Opera out of Africa'. Mail & Guardian. 23 April 1999.
'KZN Philharmonic turns 30'. Bizcommunity. 16 October 2013.
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