My Funny Valentine

My Funny Valentine – love, passion and a whole lot more... When it comes to music for Valentines Day many couples – young and old - reach for the golden oldies section of their CD collections. Melodies from a bygone era - when there was still time to stand still and smell the roses ,celebrate the beauty of life and love and reflect on the unbridled passion lovers have (or should have) for each other. To celebrate all this and more Hopefield Country House presents a concert for Valentines Day with music from the Roaring 30’s - the Restless Decade, the start of Art Deco, glamorous and sensuous fashion, the era of the big bands, dancing and night life, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo and Bette Davis - a time when not even the great depression could dampen the spirits of lovers the world over. Timeless musical gems were created in this tempestuous decade. My Funny Valentine, The Man I Love, Can’t help loving that man, Bewitched and Someone to watch over me - to mention a few – are some of the enchanted tunes that will ring through the country air this Valentines. Gauteng based singers, Linette van der Merwe and Chris Mostert will join Hopefield Country House owners, Kobus Buys and Gerhard Maritz for an afternoon of magical melodies to celebrate the romance of Valentines Day. Chris and Linette (newly-weds by the way) are both very active in the classical music scene in Johannesburg and Pretoria, regularly performing for Salon Music, The Black Tie Ensemble and arts festivals around the country. Linette – a smouldering mezzo – started her singing career as a member of the State Theatre Pretoria Opera Chorus. Her vocal mentor is Emma Renzi and she is equally at home on the opera, oratorio or cabaret stage. Chris, a graduate in applied mathematics and electrical engineering, started his vocal training as a student of Werner Nel in Potchefstroom. After completing his studies he spent 4 years in Switzerland as a member of the St Gallen Opera House. Being a tenor, his vocal talents are in high demand and he regularly performs both locally and abroad. Kobus Buys is a graduate of the Northwest University (Potchefstroom Campus) where he completed the B Mus (hons) degree under the tutelage of Albie van Schalkwyk. Gerhard Maritz was a student of Joseph Stanford at the University of Pretoria where he obtained the degree B Mus (hons). Kobus and Gerhard also hold UPLM and UTLM diplomas from Unisa . Kobus is currently the musical director of the Port Elizabeth Oratorio Choir as well as part time lecturer in voice at the NMMU. Both Kobus & Gerhard regularly perform as soloists and accompanists in and around Port Elizabeth. My Funny Valentine takes place at Hopefield Country House in the beautiful Sundays River Valley on Sunday, 13 February 2011 at 15:30. Tickets cost R 70-00 per person (R 30-00 for learners) and include snacks and drinks after the performance in the garden of Hopefield Country House. A cash bar is also available. Please contact Kobus or Gerhard on 042 234 0333 or info@hopefield.co.za for more information and to book your seat. My Funny Valentine Sunday 13 February 2011 15:30 Hopefield Country House Off R336 – Sunday River Valley Addo Tickets: R 70-00 / R 30-00 learners Kobus / Gerhard: 042 234 0333 / info@hopefield.co.za