Alexandra residents enjoy a night of classical music
St Hubert’s Catholic Church hosts a Night of Stars, bringing classical music to Alexandra’s streets.
Scores of residents in Alexandra gathered at St Hubert’s Catholic Church for an unforgettable night of classical music.
The event, held on December 13 and aptly dubbed the Night of Stars, treated residents to a genre less familiar in the often-loud, lively streets of Alexandra.
“A Night of Stars is the inception of classical music in Alexandra. We have compiled an ensemble of professional classical artists. The first inception was celebrating Christmas, it is about the night of Christmas,” said event organiser Vincent Shibambu.
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The evening was also about showcasing talent that often does not find expression within the township. “There is a lot of hidden talent here, but the only thing that is celebrated in this place is amapiano and the normal groove culture. So, we are coming out to say there is classical music, and there are more professional, protected and confined genres that can be celebrated in the hood,” Shibambu explained.
He emphasised that such talent deserves equal celebration and support. “This is the first event of this calibre. So, we have decided that instead of waiting for people to give us a platform to showcase our talent, we should create a platform of our own.”
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Shibambu said this was only the beginning of many more events to come, where talented and professional opera performers such as Sasa Yende, Sylvester Matlakane, Ntsikelelo Mkhwanazi and Queen Mkhwanazi, among others, would grace audiences with their artistry.
Reflecting on one of the first songs performed, Harry Thacker Burleigh’s ‘Were You There,’ Shibambu noted its deep resonance. The piece, which speaks about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was meant to evoke personal reflection on the passion of Christ and usher the audience into a space where they could identify with Jesus’ suffering.
For scores of residents in attendance, the Night of Stars was not just a concert but a cultural milestone, showing that classical music can find a home even in Alexandra.
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