Weekend Special • Peta Stewart
Three years ago conductor Robert Moody spent one month in South Africa, realizing a dream. Now finally after Covid shattered orchestral engagements internationally in 2020 and 2021, he is back to relive that dream, but more importantly to conduct all the orchestras: Two engagements with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra on 23 and 30 June 2022 and beginning his tour with the JPO on 9 June (Mozart Flute Concerto and Beethoven Symphony No. 7), and the KNZPO on 16 June (Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto and Beethoven Symphony No. 7).
That one full month of June 2019 was “one of the single most powerful and amazing experiences of my life. I was able to explore so many beautiful areas in and around Cape Town, from hiking Lion’s Head to visiting Stellenbosch, Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach, and of course the amazing food in so many stellar Cape Town restaurants. And I still don’t have the words to describe just how incredible it was to see leopard, elephant, giraffe, rhinos, hippos, and so much more on safari.
Moody is enjoying his 17th season as Music Director of Arizona Musicfest and 6thseason as Music Director of The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Tennessee)
But safaris aside, it is Cape Town that remains in his mind.
“I’d always heard that Cape Town was a beautiful city full of culture. It surpassed my greatest hopes and of course CPO is a phenomenal orchestra, with truly wonderful colleagues who make the creation of music so rewarding. The hall is classic and gorgeous, and I especially am looking forward to having the epic Norman and Beard Pipe Organ join the music this time around.”
