THE Duet Endowment Trust Gala concert, presented by Cape Town Opera and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will take place at Artscape on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
An evening of musical brilliance, the event celebrates South Africa’s world-class talent and cultural legacy and will feature internationally renowned soprano Golda Schultz and acclaimed baritone Jacques Imbrailo in a rich programme of opera favourites and symphonic gems. They will be joined onstage by Cape Town Opera’s House Soloists, Judith Neilson Young Artists, Vocal Ensemble and Children’s Chorus. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will be under the baton of the distinguished British-Italian conductor Gaetano Lo Coco.
Performing alongside their illustrious counterparts will be CTO’s House Soloists Brittany Smith, Nonhlanhla Yende and Lukhanyo Moyake, as well as Judith Neilson Young Artists Khayakazi Madlala, Lonwabo Mose and Sisikelelwe Mngenela.
The evening’s programme promises a superb musical journey, from orchestral works to solos, duets, and full ensemble pieces. Highlights include Schultz’s interpretations of Gounod’s Jewel Song from Faust, Mozart’s Or sai chi l’onore from Don Giovanni, and Stravinsky’s No word from Tom from The Rake’s Progress. Imbrailo will shine in excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Britten’s Billy Budd and Verdi’s Don Carlo.
The Cape Town Opera Vocal Ensemble and soloists will add further sparkle with beloved arias and ensembles from Carmen, Rigoletto, Così fan tutte, Roméo et Juliette, and La traviata, among others. The CTO Children’s Chorus and full ensemble will contribute to powerful choral moments, including Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin Waltz and Péter-Louis van Dijk’s The Selfish Giant. performance will culminate in unforgettable numbers from The Marriage of Figaro and Carmen.
Founded by Mrs Wendy Ackerman, the Duet Endowment Trust supports the long-term sustainability of both Cape Town Opera and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and underlines the importance of investing in the future of classical music in the country. The Duet Endowment Trust Gala takes place at the Artscape Opera House on Saturday, 4 October 2025 at 6pm. Tickets from R250 to R950 through Webtickets, and Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695.
