South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Gustavus
For 35 years, Gustavus Adolphus College has brought world-class artists to the campus for performances in music, theatre, dance and the visual arts. It is pleased to announce the 2007 Gustavus Artist Series season which opens September 28 with South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra follows on October 16. Michael Johnson’s annual Christmas concert concludes the season on December 14. Tickets for each event are available on-line at www.gustavus.edu/events/artistseries/ or by calling 507-933-7590.
The Grammy award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo comes to Gustavus on Friday, September 28 for a performance in Christ Chapel at 8:00 p.m. Twenty years ago, Joseph Shabalala and his Ladysmith Black Mambazo introduced an international public to South African vocal music, thanks to their collaboration with Paul Simon on his album “Graceland.” The ensemble has performed at two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, a performance for Pope John Paul II, South African Presidential inaugurations, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and many musical award shows from around the world. Now, with over forty recordings, six million sales worldwide and concerts across the globe, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has become the musical voice of traditional culture in South Africa, perhaps for all of Africa. The September 28 performance marks the ensemble’s first performance on the Gustavus campus.
Tuesday, October 16, features the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra in Björling Recital Hall at 8:00 p.m. In 1977, Artistic Director Pavel Prantl brought together the finest players from two of Europe’s most renowned ensembles, The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and The Prague Radio Symphony, to found the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. Since its founding, the ensemble has performed around the world, recorded and won the coveted “Grand Prix du Disque,” and earned acclaim from critics and its audiences. The CPCO’s 30th Anniversary Concert Tour includes solo performances by oboist Jana Brozkova and the young Czech violin virtuoso Barbora Kolarova and brings the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra to southern Minnesota for the first time.
From the days of Denver, Boise and Johnson, Michael Johnson has appeared (almost) annually on the Gustavus campus. Johnson returns on Friday, December 14 for an 8:00 p.m. performance in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. Singer, guitarist, songwriter and storyteller, Michael has written and recorded numerous hits with a depth and heart that comes only from years of dedication to the art of music. A “dazzling guitarist and a wonderfully expressive singer,” Johnson has been captivating audiences at Gustavus for over 40 years and returns to share his music and his stories on the Gustavus campus.
More information and tickets for each event are available on-line at www.gustavus.edu/events/artistseries/ or by calling 507-933-7590. Tickets remaining at concert time will be available at the door.