A Valentine's Serenade: Heartstrings and High Notes | Die Centurion Teater

A Valentine's Serenade: Heartstrings and High Notes

Celebrate the season of romance with an afternoon of sublime music. Soprano Michelle Veenemans and Violinist Miroslav Chakaryan, accompanied by Pianist Gisela Scriba, present A Valentine's Serenade—a stunning program of light classical favourites and beloved arias. From the tender beauty of Massenet and Elgar to the shimmering romance of Strauss II, Arditi, and Sieczynski to mention a few, this concert is the perfect classic celebration of love.

A Concert for a Cause: This special performance is held to benefit the vital work of the SA-Animal Cancer Association (SAACA). All animal lovers are invited to enjoy a magnificent concert while supporting this special charity event.

More about the Artists:

Michelle Veenemans: Dramatic Coloratura Soprano

Michelle Veenemans is a distinguished South African dramatic coloratura soprano, acclaimed for her exceptional vocal artistry and captivating stage presence. Consistently praised by critics for her "exhilarating" performances and described as "one of South Africa's most entertaining sopranos," Ms. Veenemans commands a repertoire spanning a wide array of operatic and operetta roles.

Her vocal mastery is particularly evident in her interpretation of demanding arias from composers such as Mozart, Offenbach, Gounod, Verdi, and Bernstein. Reviewers have highlighted her "creamy soprano's extensive range, from a lusciously developed chest register to gleaming high notes," and her profound ability to imbue characters with "much artistic emotion."

A versatile and in-demand artist, Ms. Veenemans regularly features in recitals, oratorio concerts, and opera productions across Southern Africa. Her international engagements have included performances in Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Namibia. Beyond traditional classical stages, she has demonstrated her adaptability in projects ranging from ballet shows to specialized broadcast concerts.

Ms. Veenemans's extensive training includes studies in classical vocal and ensemble singing at the Ludwig-van-Beethoven Music School in Germany, complemented by fourteen years of intensive opera training with renowned South African tenor George Kok. Her commitment to fostering new talent is also reflected in her frequent invitations to adjudicate various vocal and music competitions.

With a voice possessing both lyrical beauty and dramatic power, coupled with an extraordinary upper register, Michelle Veenemans continues to solidify her reputation as a formidable and highly engaging soprano on the classical music scene.

Miroslav Chakaryan: Violinist and Orchestral Leader

Miroslav Chakaryan is a highly esteemed violinist whose artistry has graced stages worldwide, earning him a reputation as a preeminent musician. Born into a family of musicians in Sofia, Bulgaria, Mr. Chakaryan commenced his violin studies at the tender age of six, making his public debut at just eight years old with concertos by Vivaldi and Bach. He graduated from the Sofia Music School in 1984 and, following a rigorous selection process, was accepted into the National Music Academy in Sofia, completing his studies in 1990.

Since 1982, Mr. Chakaryan has performed regularly as a soloist throughout Bulgaria, collaborating with the country's leading orchestras and chamber music ensembles on international tours. In 1991, he relocated to South Africa, assuming the role of Concertmaster for the Bophuthatswana Chamber Orchestra. Upon completion of his contract, he joined the National Symphony Orchestra in Johannesburg, where he was appointed Assistant Concertmaster in 1995.

A pivotal figure in the South African classical music landscape, Mr. Chakaryan was a founding member of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) in 2000, becoming its Concertmaster in 2001, a position he continues to hold. He has appeared as a soloist with the JPO on multiple occasions and has presented numerous solo and chamber music recitals across South Africa.

Miroslav Chakaryan's excellence has been recognized with significant accolades, including a Fiësta award in 2019 for Best Classical Music Performance, which he shared with Zanta Hofmeyr for their virtuoso duo program. Beyond his extensive performance career, Mr. Chakaryan is deeply committed to music education, with many of his students achieving notable awards, including the first South African student to be accepted to study music at the Moscow Conservatoire. His profound musicality and dedication to his craft solidify his standing as a leading international violinist.

Gisela Scriba: Accomplished Pianist

Gisela Scriba is a distinguished South African musician, educator, and accompanist based in Pretoria. Her academic achievements include a BMus in Piano Performance, a Diploma in Church Music, a BMus(Hons) in Piano Method, and an MMus in Piano Method (focusing on ‘The piano duet as a teaching medium’), all obtained Cum Laude from the University of Pretoria. She further earned a Higher Education Diploma from the University of South Africa, also with distinction.

In her capacity as a music educator, Gisela operates a private studio in Pretoria, teaching piano and music theory. Her students have frequently achieved national awards. Since 2022, she has also served as an accompanist in the music department of Pretoria Boys’ High School.

She possesses extensive experience as a choral accompanist, having held the position of pianist for the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool choir since 1996 and the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool choir since 1998. She has travelled both nationally and internationally with these choirs, contributing to numerous top awards. She is widely sought after as an accompanist for various concerts, festivals, examinations, and national competitions.

As an active member and leader of the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT), she held the position of National President from 2020 to 2022 and was re-elected to the presidency in 2025. Her prior roles within the society include Treasurer of the Pretoria Centre, Vice-President for the Gauteng region (2013–2019), and Chairperson of the Pretoria Centre and the Pretoria Eisteddfod (2015–2021).

Her contributions to music education and assessment are substantial. Gisela initiated the National SASMT Pretoria Ensemble Competition, now an annual event. She regularly conducts workshops, adjudicates at music festivals and national competitions, and has served as a national examiner for practical classical music and a marker for theory exams for the Music Examinations Department of the University of South Africa (UNISA). She was also a member of the panel responsible for compiling the 2016 UNISA piano syllabus and developed the university's piano duet examination syllabus.