The Rhapsody Orchestra

Thank you to our wonderful audience for the support. We look forward to make beautiful music tomorrow night!

Book quickly to avoid missing out on another magical Rhapsody concert.

18 April, 19:00
Odeion Theatre
Get your ticktets here:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/356783-romantic-spirits/ #/

✨ Folklore & Fantasy – Sold Out! ✨

We are absolutely delighted (and incredibly grateful!) to share that our Folklore and Fantasy Symphony Concert is officially sold out! 🎶

Thank you for the wonderful support — we can’t wait to share this magical evening of music with you.

🎟️ A small number of tickets may still be available at the door on the night. Please note that door ticket holders will be accommodated after all pre-sold ticket holders have been seated, and entry will depend on remaining capacity.
We appreciate your understanding and support — it truly means the world to us.

See you at the concert! 🌟

🎻 Soloist Spotlight 🎶

We are delighted to present Dr Sharon de K**k as soloist in the sublime The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams, performed with The Rhapsody Orchestra.

Dr Sharon de K**k is a distinguished violinist, senior lecturer at the University of the Free State, and an internationally experienced performer whose career spans South Africa, the USA, Latin America, and Europe. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (magna cm laude, BMus; MMus), she studied under renowned pedagogues including Chee-Yun Kim and Dorothy DeLay, and has performed with orchestras across Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain, and the United States.

She has served as first violinist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, collaborated with world-class artists, and appeared as both soloist and chamber musician in major festivals and concert venues worldwide. Since returning to South Africa, she has remained an active performer, adjudicator, researcher, and community advocate, founding the Violins for Peace outreach project to expand access to music education.

Dr de K**k holds a DMus from North-West University and is widely respected for her artistic excellence, academic contributions, and deeply meaningful performance projects, including her work honouring music composed during the Holocaust.

Join us for an unforgettable performance as her expressive artistry brings the soaring lyricism of The Lark Ascending to life.

🙌Meet our guest conductor Dario Broccardo 🙌

Dario Broccardo is as a passionate music educator, sought-after musical director, and conductor. He began his musical training at the National School of the Arts, matriculating in 1993, and graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1998 with majors in percussion and composition. He launched his professional career as a freelance percussionist and flautist. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has shared the stage with international artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Bryan Adams and The Three Tenors, as well as South African icons Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

His conducting career began as a stand-in conductor for the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and the National School of the Arts Orchestra. Following the successful performance of his original composition Missa Sancti Ursi, he was appointed full-time conductor of the Johannesburg Bach Choir. In 2010, Broccardo relocated to the Eastern Cape to take up the position of music teacher and choir conductor at Kingswood College. During this time, he also served as conductor of the Rhodes University Choir for one year and led the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s outreach orchestra for three years.

He later moved to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to assume a similar role at Alexander Road High School, where he is currently Head of the Music Department and Director of the Concert Band, widely regarded as one of the city’s leading school bands. At Alexander Road, he has conducted major school productions including Cinderella (2019), Into the Woods (2022), Sister Act (2023), and Cabaret Fantasia (2024), leading to subsequent conducting opportunities for large-scale productions such as The Sound of Music (2019), Matilda (2022), Hairspray (2023), and Annie (2025).

Leading the Rhapsody Orchestra marks his first “out-of-town” conducting experience, an opportunity he regards as a true honour and privilege. He looks forward to collaborating with Bloemfontein’s fine musical talent – and to spotting as many birds as possible at Naval Hill.