The Minnesota Orchestra performing in Johannesburg, South Africa for the final concert of the tour. Photo by Leila Navidi • Star Tribune
Minnesota Orchestra South Africa tour
Music is the message
Minnesota Orchestra is taking a first-of-its-kind tour of South Africa, building on the “musical diplomacy” mission it started with its 2015 tour in Cuba. It becomes the first U.S. orchestra to tour South Africa – and, according to the orchestra’s research – the African continent.
Music is the message
Minnesota Orchestra is taking a first-of-its-kind tour of South Africa, building on the “musical diplomacy” mission it started with its 2015 tour in Cuba. It becomes the first U.S. orchestra to tour South Africa – and, according to the orchestra’s research – the African continent.
Trumpet players from the KwaZulu Natal Youth Wind Band listen as Manny Laureano from the Minnesota Orchestra demonstrates technique. ] LEILA NAVIDI �
Leila Navidi, Star Tribune
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LEILA NAVIDI • Star Tribune
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Minnesota Orchestra associate conductor Roderick Cox posed with South African National Youth Orchestra members Boitumelo Mtsatse, Refilwe Moeketsane a
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Bass players pack up their instruments into their trunks after the Durban concert in South Africa.
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Soprano Goitsemang Lehobye sings during the South African premiere of “Harmonia Ubuntu” by composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen, during Friday’s Minne
Leila Navidi, Leila Navidi
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Soprano Goitsemang Lehobye sings "Harmonia Ubuntu" as Osmo Vanska conducts during rehearsal.
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Tour guide and former political prisoner Derrick Basson leads a tour of the former prison on Robben Island.
Leila Navidi, Star Tribune
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Performance details

Cape Town

Friday, Aug. 10
On the program: Sibelius’ “En Saga,” Bernstein’s overture to “Candide,” Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Ndodana-Breen’s “Harmonia Ubuntu.”

Durban

Sunday, Aug. 12
On the program: Sibelius’ “En Saga,” Bernstein’s overture to “Candide,” Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Ndodana-Breen’s “Harmonia Ubuntu.”

Pretoria

Thursday, Aug. 16
On the program: Sibelius’ “En Saga,” Bernstein’s overture to “Candide,” Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Ndodana-Breen’s “Harmonia Ubuntu.”

Soweto

Friday, Aug. 17
On the program: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Ndodana-Breen’s “Harmonia Ubuntu” and more music by South African composers.

Johannesburg

Saturday, Aug. 18
On the program: Bernstein’s overture to “Candide,” Ndodana-Breen’s “Harmonia Ubuntu” and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.