OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Klein Karoo Klassique 2026 demonstrated over three days, why there remains a special place for a classical music festival in the heart of the Klein Karoo.
From a schoolchild experiencing a symphony orchestra for the very first time, to a world premiere of a new composition, the return of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) after 13 years and a superstar choir – Klein Karoo Klassique 2026 demonstrated the enduring power of classical music in the Klein Karoo.
Over three days, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August, music enthusiasts from Oudtshoorn, the broader region and across South Africa, gathered for a programme that combined beloved masterworks with fresh discoveries, while also celebrating literature, visual arts, food and wine.
“The 17th Klein Karoo Klassique was an exceptional experience, marked by outstanding performances, engaging music and literature talks and a remarkable festival atmosphere. It was also a record-breaking year.
"Attendance exceeded our expectations, while valuable opportunities were created to introduce young learners to classical music and a workshop for choir conductors from across the region was presented,” says Hugo Theart, CEO and Artistic Director of Klein Karoo Klassique.
Klassique 2026 Cellissimo © Hans van der Veen
Classical music for a next generation
One of the weekend’s most significant moments came on Friday morning, when learners from schools across the region filled the Civic Centre for Inleiding tot die orkes (Introduction to the orchestra).
Richard Cock and members of the CPO took Grade 4 to 9 learners on an interactive journey through the orchestra, from strings to brass, with demonstrations, familiar musical examples and audience participation. The enthusiasm was infectious.
A young Oudtshoorn learner, Marco Huyzeras (16), even had the opportunity to step onto the podium and conduct the orchestra himself.
Moments like these highlight an important part of the value of a festival like Klassique: It demonstrates that the arts are not only for major urban centres, while creating opportunities for young people to experience it first-hand. For many learners, it was their first encounter with the sound of a symphony orchestra, offering a memorable introduction to the world of classical music.
Klassique 2026 Heimwee © Hans van der Veen
The CPO returns
The presence of the CPO was particularly significant this year, marking the first time in 13 years that the orchestra had performed in the region.
Hundreds of festivalgoers braved the Klein Karoo cold on Friday evening to fill the Civic Centre for the sold-out Klassique Gala Concert. Under the baton of Cock, the orchestra performed works by Mozart and Mendelssohn, with François du Toit as soloist in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor. The programme concluded with Mendelssohn’s beloved “Italian” Symphony.
Adriaan Fuchs, CEO of the CPO, says the return was equally special for the orchestra. “It was incredibly special for the CPO to return to the region after 13 years. To return to Oudtshoorn and share music with this community is a great privilege and joy for us.
“Festivals like this remind us of the power of music and the arts to bring people together. As an orchestra, it remains a core part of our mission to take the very best classical music to communities across the Western Cape – and we hope to return to Oudtshoorn and its people again next year.”
Klassique 2026 Klassique Galakonsert © Hans van der Veen
From beloved masterworks to music that deserves to be heard
The strength of Klassique, however, lies not only in familiar repertoire. Throughout the weekend, the festival presented an extraordinary variety of chamber music – from Postcards and Trio Contraire to the Take Four Piano Quartet, Heimwee, Spanish Songs, Unheard (of) and Cellissimo.
During Women’s Month, Unheard (of), featuring pianist Mareli Stolp and cellist Mietze Dill, focussed the spotlight on female composers whose music has historically been overlooked. Works by Ethel Smyth, Amy Beach, Rebecca Clarke, Rita Strohl and Mélanie Bonis offered a fresh perspective on the classical canon.
For musicologist and music critic Dr Wayne Muller, this recital was a festival highlight. “Klein Karoo Klassique is a wonderful space where the familiar and the new share the stage. This year, once again, the programme ranged from Mozart to works by several female composers whose music is seldom performed. Unheard (of) was my favourite.
“Klassique is one of the few spaces where new and lesser-known classical music can be ‘experimented with’. South Africa needs more spaces like this, where audiences are so receptive to the less heard and unheard.”
The festival continued this spirit of discovery with Cellissimo, in which eight cellists demonstrated the remarkable versatility of the instrument. The programme ranged from Rossini, Wagner and Villa-Lobos to Vangelis, featured soprano Siphamandla Moyake, and included a special highlight for the Klein Karoo: the world premiere of South African composer Shane Woodborne’s “Ababuyanga”.
Other highlights included the Take Four Piano Quartet’s performances of works by Brahms and Schumann, as well as Heimwee, a moving tribute to the life, career and legacy of celebrated South African soprano Mimi Coertse. The programme brought together Afrikaans art songs, opera and operetta to celebrate the breadth of Coertse’s artistry and enduring cultural influence.
For Charl du Plessis, the master of ceremonies, who led conversations with artists and also performed at the festival, this shared experience lies at the heart of Klassique.
“Klassique is the coming together of people who love classical music and want to enjoy it together. The power of this language connects us, and that connection is tangible both on stage and among the audience. It is a privilege to be part of it.”
Klassique 2026 Unheard of © Hans van der Veen
Much more than the music on stage
That sense of community was evident throughout the festival. Between performances, festivalgoers gathered around the long tables in the Banqueting Hall, mingling with artists, listening to discussions and continuing conversations about the music over coffee, food and wine.
The Banqueting Hall was intentionally transformed into the social heart of the festival, hosting free breakfast concerts by local pianist John Theodore and Du Plessis, music and literary conversations, as well as a visual arts exhibition curated by René Scribante featuring works by 30 artists from the region.
Elna van der Merwe, facilitator of this year’s literature conversations, presented with the support of Human & Rousseau and Kwela, singled out Antjie Krog’s conversation about her translation of Olive Schreiner’s From Man tot Man as a particular highlight.
“When Antjie Krog spoke about translating Olive Schreiner’s novel to Van man tot man, I could feel the audience’s engagement. Their faces seemed to suggest that she was transporting them from their everyday existence to somewhere better, particularly when she unexpectedly concluded by reciting a poem from Spienekelientjies, a new collection of children’s poetry that she compiled. We were privileged to listen to her.” Other writers featured on the festival programme included Bonnie Espie (Lifting the Lid) and Irna van Zyl (Kanniedood).
Perhaps it is here that the value of Klassique becomes most apparent. It is not simply a series of performances that happens to take place in Oudtshoorn.
For one weekend, this Klein Karoo town becomes a meeting place for artists and audiences, for the familiar and the unknown, for conversation and discovery, and for people from both within and beyond the region who travel here specifically to share the experience.
A world-class finale
The final word, or rather the final note, belonged to the Stellenbosch University Choir.
Under the direction of André van der Merwe, the world-renowned choir celebrated its 90th anniversary at Klassique. The choir, which won three gold medals at the 2025 European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations in Aarhus, Denmark, brought the festival to a close with the precision, energy and musicianship for which it is internationally renowned.
It was a fitting conclusion to a weekend that reaffirmed Klein Karoo Klassique’s unique role as a cultural meeting place where internationally acclaimed artists, emerging talent, local audiences and visitors from across the country come together.
The festival once again demonstrated that world-class classical music does not belong only in the concert halls of major cities. The festival is testimony for the transformative power of music, creativity and a celebration of human connection.
Next year, this festival of classical music, literature, art, food and wine takes place for the 18th time in Oudtshoorn from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 August 2027.
Klein Karoo Klassique is presented by the KKNK, made possible by the Rupert Music Foundation and the ATKV, with support from Le Lude, RSG, Oudtshoorn Courant and the Oudtshoorn Municipality.
The accommodation sponsors for this winter festival include Argyll B&B, Beit Shalom, Cul de Sac, De Zeekoe, El Dorado Hotel & Self Catering, Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, Miles B&B Guesthouse, Oudtshoorn Inn, Pictures Boutique Hotel, Protea Hotel Riempie Estate, Queen’s Hotel, Ravenscliff Manor, Rosenhof Country House and Thylitshia Villa.
For more information, visit klassique.co.za or contact the office of the KKNK via email at [email protected], phone 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
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