Sheherazade and the Songs of the Sea | Rossini, Ravel, Martucci | Jan Hugo and Clara Hugo

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, 31 January
Time: 19:00 (Pre-concert talk at 18:00 for select tiers)
Venue: Old Chapel Music Room, 36 Central Ave, Pinelands

Having spent years performing together across the historic stages of Europe—from the Maison de Victor Hugo in Paris to the Liederiadi Festival in Milan—returning home to South Africa a year ago has been a deeply rewarding new chapter for us. Since our return, we have had the pleasure of performing together for local audiences and we are honored to continue this journey into 2026.

This concert is an invitation to wander. We have curated a selection of works that capture the mystery of the horizon and the deep emotions evoked by the water:

Maurice Ravel | Sheherazade: Step into a world of exotic dreams and shimmering orchestral colors as Ravel paints the tales of the Arabian Nights.
Gioachino Rossini | La Regata Veneziana: Feel the pulse of Venice’s canals in this charming, spirited cycle that captures the excitement of the city’s famous boat races.
Giuseppe Martucci | La Canzone dei Ricordi: A lush, Romantic masterpiece of Italian song, filled with nostalgia and the haunting beauty of memories lost and found.

We want this to be more than just a concert; we want it to be a shared experience. Set in the intimate Old Chapel Music Room, the evening will be paired with fine wine and warm conversation. We offer several ways for you to join us:

Standard Concert Experience: Enjoy the performance with a welcome glass of wine to set the mood and a selection of snacks to enjoy while we mingle after the final notes have faded.

Friend of the Series: For those who want a closer look, this tier offers reserved seating in our front rows, a pre-concert conversation with us at 18:00 to discuss the history and stories behind the music, and acknowledgment in the evening’s program.

Patron of the Series: To those who wish to deeply support the arts, our Patrons receive priority reserved seating, access to the pre-concert talk, and an invitation to an exclusive rehearsal or preparation session at a later date to see how we bring these works to life, as well as a complementary ticket to bring a friend or partner along.

Whether you are a longtime lover of the opera or a curious newcomer, we cannot wait to share these “Songs of the Sea” with you.

With love, Jan & Clara Hugo

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