‘THE PLACE OF THE STARS’
(|gamirodi !khaes)
UPDATE 27/05/2025: ‘The Place of the Stars’ is now fully booked. Thank you for your overwhelming support—we are over the moon!
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For millennia, humans have gazed into the vast night sky and pondered the mysteries of existence. Now, on the darkest evenings of the year, the voices of VOX invite you to experience choral music inspired by the infinite, performed beneath the celestial curve of the historical McClean Dome at the South African Astronomical Observatory.
The shimmering harmonies of The Spheres by Ola Gjeilo set the stage for a journey through sound and starlight, followed by the music of composer-astronomer William Herschel (1738–1822) who discovered the planet Uranus and whose son, John Herschel, influenced Darwin during his visit to the Cape. The heart of our programme is the world premiere of Missa Desolata by Martin Watt, Head of Composition at the South African College of Music. This new work honours the legacy of the late Peter Klatzow (1945–2021) who was himself deeply drawn to the mysteries of the cosmos. We conclude with Knut Nystedt’s Immortal Bach—an experiment in timeless serenity.
Five intimate performances will take place over the winter solstice. Each experience includes an introductory talk to frame the journey, half an hour of exquisite music within the Herbert Baker-designed dome, a glass of wine and an opportunity to stargaze through the observatory’s telescopes (weather permitting!). Join us for another immersive musical encounter as we celebrate the first decade of VOX and the remarkable space known by the Khoe as |gamirodi !khaes—‘The Place of the Stars’.
Winter Solstice 2025
Friday 20 June: 6 PM and 8:30 PM
Saturday 21 June: 3:30 PM, 6 PM and 8:30 PM
South African Astronomical Observatory, 1 Observatory Road
Bookings via Quicket (R280/R250)—SOLD OUT
