The Endler Concert Series is delighted to bring you soprano Paulina Malefane in concert with pianist José Dias on Friday 4 March at 7pm in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch.

Paulina Malefane rose to fame in 2005 when she co-wrote, directed, and starred in U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, an adaptation of Bizet’s opera Carmen. She was selected to perform the lead role in this opera, replacing the lead singer with only three weeks to prepare, and went on to achieve tremendous international acclaim, being described in The Observer, London as “the Carmen by which others should be measured”.

After graduating from the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town with a Performer’s Diploma in Music, she co-founded and is co-Music Director of the Isango Ensemble and has worked with members of the company since 2000. The main artistic goal of the ensemble is to correct the problem of representation by creating a space in which South Africans can see themselves and their way of living on stage. Interestingly, Malefane is also an advocate for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She is a lecturer in vocal studies at UCT’s South African College of Music.

For this recital, Paulina is accompanied by Portuguese-born pianist José Dias, who needs no introduction to local audiences. He is a regular presence in all major concert halls and Arts Festivals in South Africa, and is in high demand as soloist, chamber musician, vocal accompanist and vocal coach. Amongst his busy performance schedule, José is also a part-time lecturer at Stellenbosch University’s Music Department, working within the voice and choral conducting divisions.

On the programme for this concert are Liszt’s gorgeously romantic settings of Italian Renaissance love poetry, the three Petrarch Sonnets, which allow for virtuosic display by both singer and pianist. The audience can also look forward to an innovative and mesmerising setting of well-known American Spirituals by John Daniels Carter in his Cantata, as well as celebrated excerpts from George Gershwin’s seminal opera Porgy and Bess.

Please keep in mind that for all live events current restrictions allow for 150 audience members in the Endler Hall and all safety protocols outlined by the University will be strictly followed.

Tickets for R140 (regular) and R100 (pensioners, students, and scholars) are available now through Computicket and at the door one hour before the show. For more information contact Fiona Grayer at concerts@sun.ac.za or 021 808 2358.