Upcoming Performances

The African Renaissance Ensemble presents “Carlos V: Music of the Emperor”

After the rip-roaring success of our Johannesburg, we will be repeating this startling programme in Pretoria on June 2nd.

Carlos V (1506 – 1555) was a titan of history, often considered the spiritual successor to his namesake, Charlemagne. Centuries before the British used it, his was the first to be described as “the empire on which the sun never sets”, spreading from the grand halls of Europe to the mystic lands of the Americas. Whilst we think of Renaissance music as purely European, the conquest of South America resulted in a cross-pollination of cultures, with Spanish composers being influenced by the real and imagined rhythms, sounds, and languages of South America and West Africa. Our programme presents some weird and wonderful music of his time, which took instruments and voices to new and previously unexplored territory.

Carlos V: Music of the Emperor
02 June 2024
15:00
Christ Church, Arcadia
Pretoria
Earlybird: R190
General: R220
Door: R250

OUR CONCERTS

Do not expect a symphony concert. Our performances are not the formal affairs that one expects from a symphony concert, opera or classical chamber concert and neither is the music that we perform. In fact, almost all of the music we play predates the idea of a concert! You will certainly not find our musicians performing in suit and tie, so feel free to dress however feels appropriate.

We like to keep our concerts small, it is important to us that we can directly connect with our audiences. We want our audiences to feel like an active part of the event.

Maestro Adam H. Golding always speaks between the musical numbers, providing context and uses the music to weave together a story including anecdotes that range from hilarious to grotesque.

Concerts are usually between 60 and 90 minutes.

Madness Mischief and Mistresses
08 September 2024
11:00
The Lion’s Den Restaurant, Pretoria

R250 including lunch

Details to follow!

Past Performances

Carlos V: Music of the Emperor
09 May 2024, 19:30, St. Francis Church, Parkview, Johannesburg

Madness, Mischief, and Mistresses
22 March, 2024, 13:00, The Sandton Theatre on the Square, Johannesburg

Vivaldi for all Seasons – Lesser known (but equally great) masterpieces by The Red Priest
04 February 2024, 15:00, Chirst Church Arcadia, Pretoria

Hidden Treasures of the Hebrew Baroque: A concert 400 years in the making
28 and 29 October, 2023, Temple Israel, Wynberg, Cape Town

Hidden Treasures of the Hebrew Baroque: A concert 400 years in the making
22 October, 2023, Ben Schoeman Auditorium, Afrikaans Hoer Seunskool, Pretoria

Vivaldi for all Seasons – Lesser known (but equally great) masterpieces by The Red Priest
14 September 2023, 19:30, St. Francis Church, Parkview, Johannesburg

A Celebration of the Voice: Vocal Music from the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries.
04 June 2023, 11:00, The Lion’s Den Restaurant, Pretoria

No Strings Attached – Renaissance and Baroque music without violins
13 May 2023, 15:00, Pretoria Art Museum.
A Retrospective Exhibition of the works of Dirk Meerkotter

No Strings Attached – Renaissance and Baroque music without violins
11 May 2023, 19:30, St. Francis Anglican Church, Parkview, Johannesburg
The St. Francis Music Festival

Hidden Treasures of the Hebrew Baroque: A concert 400 years in the making
25 and 26 March, 2023, Christopher Seabrooke Music Hall, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Familiar and Obscure Highlights from the Baroque and Renaissance
21 January 2023, 15:30, Nazareth House, Waterkloof, Pretoria

Familiar and Obscure Highlights from the Baroque and Renaissance
10 November 2022, 19:00, St. Francis Anglican Church, Parkview, Johannesburg

Byrd to Bach: A Musical Journey through the Renaissance and Baroque
21 May, 2022, 15:00, Nazareth House, Waterkloof, Pretoria

Byrd to Bach: A Musical Journey through the Renaissance and Baroque
12 May, 2022, 19:00, St. Francis Anglican Church, Parkview, Johannesburg
The St. Francis Music Festival

Byrd to Bach: A Musical Journey through the Renaissance and Baroque
21 and 22 March, Papillion Theatre, Wakkerstroom
The Wakkerstroom Music Festival

The Forgotten Years of the Middle Baroque
21 November 2021, 15:00, Nazareth House, Waterkloof, Pretoria

The Forgotten Years of the Middle Baroque
09 October 2021, St. George’s Anglican Church, Parktown, Johannesburg

The High Baroque
29 May 2021, St. Francis Anglican Church, Parkview, Johannesburg

Temptations of the Renaissance
28 March 2021, St. Francis Anglican Church, Parkview, Johannesburg

A Celebration of the Voice: Vocal Music from the 17th and 18th Centuries.
24 November 2019, St. Francis Anglican Church, Parkview, Johannesburg

Into the Baroque
17 June 2019, Christchurch, Arcadia, Pretoria

Into the Baroque
08 May 2019, St. Francis Anglican Church, Parkview, Johannesburg