ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - The well-known George mezzo-soprano, Elisabeth Potgieter, is receiving support from the local music community following a recent severe illness that resulted in significant hearing loss.
To assist with the medical expenses, The Music Club, Potgieter’s colleagues, students and friends will present a benefit concert in the George Dutch Reformed Mother Church at 16:00 on Saturday 13 June.
Although her condition is gradually improving, the ongoing medical treatment has placed considerable financial strain on her.
Potgieter grew up on the farm Die Bof near George and matriculated from Hoërskool Outeniqua. She obtained her music degree cum laude from Stellenbosch University, majoring in singing under the renowned Prof George van der Spuy.
For many years, she has been a familiar figure in George’s music circles as a vocal teacher, performer, radio presenter and co-organiser of lunch hour concerts.
Admission to the concert is free, but donations will be greatly appreciated. All proceeds will go to Potgieter.
The concert will feature a varied programme of vocal and instrumental music performed by acclaimed local musicians, including Alet Potgieter, Calvin Steyn, Carin Smit, Cuemi Tsai, Drini Botha, the Eden Camerata Chamber Choir, director André van Zyl, Elize Munro, Gerrit Jordaan, Gideon van der Merwe, Guido Brits, Henta Essel, Jake Pheiffer, Johan Potgieter, Leoné and Kirsten Pharaoh, Margriet Venter, Karléne Roux and Throy Petersen.
Works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Grieg, Lloyd Webber, Rutter, Schubert, Schumann and Strauss will be presented.
As Potgieter often says: “Those who wish to sing always find a song.”
The initiative was organised by musicologist Dr Ronell van Aswegen, founder of The Music Club Benefit Fund, which has supported talented music and dance students for nearly three decades.
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