Classical Music Weekend

This March, UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) invites audiences to a weekend of world-class classical music at the UJ Arts Centre.

Some Enchanted Evening will kick off on March 20 and will be followed by the South African premiere of the internationally acclaimed Oratorio for Human Rights on March 22. On a weekend where South Africans are called to reflect, both performances hold the promise of inspiration, introspection and connection.

Anchored in UJ’s commitment to artistic excellence, social engagement, and student-centred cultural experiences, these concerts bring globally celebrated works and performers to Johannesburg for unforgettable musical experiences.

Some Enchanted Evening

Some Enchanted Evening invites audiences to take an elegant and emotionally rich musical journey through opera, operetta, and musical theatre with soprano Yolisa Ngwexana and baritone Professor Federico Freschi, joined by Steinway Artist and programme director Christopher Duigan.

This immersive concert brings together some of the most beloved duets in the classical and theatrical canon, from Mozart’s playful “La ci darem la mano” (Don Giovanni) and Lehár’s sparkling “Lippen schweigen” (The Merry Widow), to the enduring romantic anthem “All I Ask of You” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

At the heart of the programme is the extended Act II duet from Verdi’s La Traviata, one of opera’s most powerful dramatic confrontations. Charged with emotional intensity, this pivotal exchange offers a compelling showcase of vocal depth, theatrical nuance, and expressive storytelling.

Oratorio for Human Rights

The internationally acclaimed masterpiece Oratorio for Human Rights returns home honouring Human Rights Day. Presented by UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA), the South African premiere of this acclaimed work will be performed on stage at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre on 22 March 2026.

Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph’s Oratorio for Human Rights was first performed at Rome’s Teatro Argentina in 2018 to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Oratorio transforms the ideals of freedom, equality, and dignity into an unforgettable musical journey. Selected from over 400 entries from 196 countries, it has captivated global audiences and earned international acclaim.

The South African premiere features the renowned UJ Choir and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra under celebrated conductor, broadcaster and winner of the 2022 Classical Music Award for Best Choral Performance, Kutlwano Masote. The musical direction has been placed under the stewardship of Bryan Schimmel, one of South Africa’s most respected music directors, winner of the 2022 Classical Music Award for Best Choral Performance, with a 35-year career in theatre, orchestral, choral, and contemporary genres.