MOSSEL BAY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - The Carpe Musicam! Orchestra and Choir played to two packed houses on 14 and 15 September. At both venues, the Dias Museum in Mossel Bay and the NGK hall in Sedgefield, extra chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the staggering turnout.

It was heartening to see a local group getting such enthusiastic support.

The Ocarina and Wine Bottle solos by conductor, Norman Carless, during the opening selection from The Pirates of the Caribbean, quickly set the mood for a light-hearted yet well-performed concert.

Music by John Williams, Alan Silvestri, Kenneth Alford and others followed, all played convincingly by the 40-piece orchestra.

Newcomer Christelle Schreuder made a credible singing debut together with seasoned tenor, Hannes Wannenburg, in an evocative version of Beauty and the Beast.

Enjoyable though the orchestra's performances may be, it is when the choir joins them that the real magic happens. Bohemian Rhapsody was a tour de force and had the audiences on their feet. Kudos to lead guitarist Bennie Holtzkampf for his wonderful guitar work.

But it was the Les Misérables medley that was the highlight of the show. Hannes Wannenburg, Bea Crafford, Wilma de Villiers and young Marie

Robertson took the solo lines and were brilliantly supported by the choir and orchestra.

Carpe Musicam! has come a long way in just over four years. May the next be even more magical.

The Carpe Musicam! Orchestra and Choir gave an outstanding performance in the Dias Museum last Saturday. Photo: Keran Elah

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