| What: Klein Karoo Klassique When: August 8-10, 2025 Where: Oudtshoorn Website: http://klassique.co.za Info: KKNK office via email at info@kunste.org.za, by phone at 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KleinKarooKlassique/ Instagram: /kleinkarooklassique/ |
There is great excitement for the 2025 Klein Karoo Klassique – the festival of classical music, art, literature, food, and wine which is on in Oudtshoorn, from Friday August 8 to Sunday August 10. It is the 16th edition of the festival. Read on for more about the offerings for all ages and note the wonderful selection of free things to do at the festival such as the such the Breakfast Concert. These free concerts start at 08:00 and offer the perfect combination of inspiring music and a relaxed atmosphere:
A SYMPHONY OF STRINGS AT klein karoo klassique
A symphony of strings awaits classical music enthusiasts at this year’s Klein Karoo Klassique.
The cello, harp, violin, viola, double bass and more take centre stage in Oudtshoorn at this festival of classical music, art, books, food and wine from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August.
Rosamund Roth (cello), Liesl Stoltz (flute) and José Dias (piano) open the music programme of the 16th Klein Karoo Klassique with Trio du Cap Classique (8 August 10:00). Their vibrant programme includes Mozart’s Piano Trio in B-flat Major, K. 502; Goossens’s Five Impressions of a Holiday and Farrenc’s Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano in E minor, Op. 45. The recital is followed by a free music discussion with the artists.
The Little Maestros concert series (8 and 9 August 12:30) returns, to introduce young audiences to the harp, with Jana van der Walt (harp) and Magdalene Minnaar (violin & presenter). Classical music is a powerful developmental tool for young children, supporting brain development and enhancing concentration. These immersive recitals offer a relaxed environment where young ears can explore the music of Mozart, Bach and other beloved classical composers.
Petrus de Beer (violin), Renée van der Westhuizen (violin), Emile de Roubaix (viola) and Anjulie de Vos-Nock (cello) perform in Alive String Quartet in Concert (8 August 14:00). This string quartet blends classical and contemporary music with engaging storytelling and narration, celebrating the timeless allure of classical string instruments. The programme includes beloved works by composers such as Vivaldi, Haydn, Beethoven and Piazzolla, alongside modern hits infused with a classical touch by The Beatles, Coldplay and more. A free music discussion with the musicians follows the recital. In Glass House: A Journey Through Minimalist Masterpieces (9 August 09:30) the Alive String Quartet joins Steinway Artist Charl du Plessis (piano) to explore the hypnotic beauty and rhythmic brilliance of minimalist music. The programme features work by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt, Max Richter and Michael Nyman, for a recital that traverses decades of minimalist innovation. From the meditative calm of Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel to the pulsating energy of Philip Glass’s The Hours, this recital offers a richly textured and immersive listening experience.
The Cape Town Festival Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cock, returns for the Klein Karoo Klassique Gala Concert (9 August 19:30). Strings share the stage with Nonhlanhla Yende (mezzo-soprano) and the Charl du Plessis Trio [Du Plessis (piano), Werner Spies (double bass) and Peter Auret (drums)]. The programme includes a new orchestral arrangement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, opera arias by Mozart and music by Vivaldi, Bach and Beethoven.
In Journey of the Soul (10 August 09:30) Roth (cello) is joined by Féroll-Jon Davids (clarinet) and Megan-Geoffrey Prins (piano), for a recital centred around storytelling and fantasy. The programme features evocative works by Schumann, Muczynski and Brahms, composed for the unique instrumental combination of the clarinet, cello, and piano, and unified by the theme of imagination and mysticism.
In addition to the string-focused performances, festivalgoers can look forward to other recitals, including: Klavierkoors (8 August 19:30), Trio AéroClave (9 August 13:30), Zorada se katedraal en kaperjol (9 August 16:30) and Voces Cordis, conducted by André van der Merwe (10 August 12:30).
A limited number of Klassique Packages are available, offering access to all nine recitals at a saving of over 20%. Tickets can be purchased online or from the KKNK office. Remaining tickets will also be on sale at the door before each recital.
Klein Karoo Klassique is presented by the KKNK, made possible by the Rupert Music Foundation and the ATKV, with the support from Le Lude and the Oudtshoorn Municipality.
For more information, visit klassique.co.za or contact the KKNK office via email at info@kunste.org.za, by phone at 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
| FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUNG AND OLD AT KLASSIQUE This year, Klein Karoo Klassique not only presents world class classical music, but also offers plenty of free entertainment for all ages. This festival of classical music, art, literature, food, and wine takes place for the 16th time in Oudtshoorn, from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August. From a concert series for young children and insightful music discussions for connoisseurs, to breakfast concerts to start the day, literary talks with authors, a visual arts exhibition, guided art walkabouts, and opportunities to help make a difference in the community – there is something for everyone to enjoy as part of the free programme offering. The Little Maestros concert series returns, this time with a focus on the harp. Jana van der Walt (harp), and Magdalene Minnaar (violin & presenter) take to the stage in the Banqueting Hall on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 August at 12:30 with specially curated concerts for the youngest listeners. These relaxed, interactive performances allow children to explore the music of Mozart, Bach, and other beloved composers through explanation, participation, and movement with the music. Classical music is a powerful developmental tool for young children, supporting brain development and improving concentration. The concerts are presented picnic-style, and the whole family is welcome. Festival host and Steinway Artist Charl du Plessis, leads post-performance conversations with artists, offering audiences a free behind-the-scenes look at the music performed. Join these intimate music discussions in the Banqueting Hall, with some of South Africa’s leading classical musicians – a unique opportunity to learn more about the performers, their music, and the composers who inspire them. Each festival day begins with a Breakfast Concert – where classical music meets a delicious breakfast menu. These free concerts start at 08:00 and offer the perfect combination of inspiring music and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re a classical music enthusiast or simply looking for a tranquil start to your day, there’s something on both the breakfast menu and the programme to suit every taste. This programme includes Oudtshoorn pianist Marlene Vlok (Friday 8 August 08:00), pianist Megan-Geoffrey Prins (Saturday 9 August 08:00) and the Charl du Plessis Trio (Sunday 10 August 08:00). Admission to the music is free. Three book discussions, made possible by NB Publishers, also take place in the Banqueting Hall. Audiences can gain insight into the authors’ latest works, their writing processes, and the stories behind the stories. Each discussion offers a unique opportunity to engage with the world of literature in an intimate and relaxed way. On Friday 8 August at 16:00, PJO Jonker speaks to Marliza van den Berg about his book Die Onsigbare. On Saturday 9 August at 10:45, Juliette Mnqeta is in conversation with Elna van der Merwe about her book If The Dead Could Talk. The final literary talk takes place on 10 August at 11:00, Hertzog Prize winner Willem Anker speaks to Van der Merwe about his novel Patmos, based on his play of the same name, which premiered at the 2024 KKNK and received a special Kanna Award. René Scribante curates the festival’s visual arts exhibition in the Banqueting Hall, presented under the theme Sacred Pulse. Featuring works by both established and emerging artists from the Klein Karoo and the broader Southern Cape, the exhibition explores rhythm, frequency, and flow where visual art and music intersect. The exhibition invites the viewer into a sensory dialogue in which sound becomes image and movement takes shape. Set against the evocative backdrop of the Klein Karoo landscape, the exhibition invites viewers into a sensory dialogue where sound becomes image and movement takes shape – a dynamic, living connection between cultural expression and natural beauty. Scribante will lead an art walkabout of the exhibition in the Banqueting Hall on Friday 8 August at 17:00. The Oudtshoorn ReWOLusie, a community project making a meaningful impact in the region, will also be present in the Banqueting Hall. Festivalgoers are invited to knit and crochet with the team. Every square created during the festival will contribute to a larger project that makes and donates blankets to underprivileged communities. Some of these handcrafted blankets will already be available to keep festivalgoers warm during recitals in the Civic Centre. Support this local initiative by donating in exchange for a blanket or coffee-table book about the Oudtshoorn ReWOLusie or contribute a ball of wool to help continue this thread of care. All this free entertainment complements nine classical music recitals by some of South Africa’s leading classical musicians. A limited number of Klassique Packages are available, offering access to all nine recitals at a discount of over 20%. Tickets can be purchased online or from the KKNK office. Remaining tickets will also be on sale at the door before each recital. Klein Karoo Klassique is presented by the KKNK, made possible by the Rupert Music Foundation and the ATKV, with support from Le Lude and the Oudtshoorn Municipality. Accommodation sponsors for this winter festival include Aloe Manor, Argyll B&B, Bakenskraal Ostrich Palace, Beit Shalom Guesthouse, Hlangana Lodge, Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, Mooiplaas Guest House, Queen’s Hotel, Ravenscliff Manor and Rosenhof Country House. |
✳ Sponsored content. Images supplied. Featured image – Klein Karoo Klassique Gala Concert © Hans van der Veen.
