Love, Passion and Fate

The Free State Symphony Orchestra invites audiences to an unforgettable evening of music titled “Love, Passion and Fate”, taking place on Saturday, 11 April 2026 at 19:30 at the ZK Matthews Great Hall.

Under the baton of internationally respected conductor Daniel Boico, the orchestra will present a programme dedicated to the emotional intensity and sweeping lyricism of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The evening will feature three of the composer’s most beloved works, exploring themes of love, longing, and destiny.

The concert opens with the elegant Waltz from Eugene Onegin, one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous orchestral dance scenes. This will be followed by the monumental Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23 in B-flat minor, performed by acclaimed Spanish pianist Leo de Maria, the most recent winner of the Unisa International Piano Competition – one of the most important piano competitions on the world circuit. Known for his extraordinary virtuosity and expressive depth, De Maria brings fresh energy to this iconic concerto, famous for its powerful opening chords and sweeping melodies.

The programme concludes with the dramatic Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64, a symphonic masterpiece that journeys from darkness to triumph. With its haunting “fate” motif and exhilarating finale, the symphony remains one of Tchaikovsky’s most emotionally compelling works.

This concert promises an evening of sweeping romance, brilliant virtuosity, and powerful orchestral storytelling, showcasing the full expressive range of one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era.

Concert Details

Date: Saturday, 11 April 2026

Time: 19:30

Venue: ZK Matthews Great Hall

Conductor: Daniel Boico

Soloist: Leo de Maria (piano)

Programme

• Tchaikovsky – Waltz from Eugene Onegin
• Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64

Ticket Prices

• Adults: R180
• Pensioners: R100
• Students: R50

Join the Free State Symphony Orchestra for an evening where love, passion, and fate collide in music of unforgettable power and beauty.