What would the festive season be without concerts?  On the Cape Whale Coast there were many events with more happening as we approach the New Year.  Rotary hosted their traditional Carols by Candlelight for the umpteen year in the Hermanus Old Harbour, Gansbaai sang along in their harbour and Betty’s Bay jingled bells in the natural setting of Harold Porter Botanical Gardens.

One of my yuletide highlights was the Christmas Concert hosted by Hermanus Cancer Fund at Bouchard Finlayson.  This Hemel-en-Aarde winery is the perfect setting for a atmospheric seasonal celebration and the acoustics of the barrel cellar adds greatly to melodic renditions.  Soprano Siphamandla Yakupa, Bulgarian born mezzo soprano Violina Anguelov and tenor Lukhanyo Moyake were accompanied by one of South Africa’s leading pianists, Christopher Duigan.  The talented ensemble performed classical pieces from operas as well as lighthearted songs like “Vodka”.  Winemaker Peter Finlayson joined the grand finale and sang Silent Night. As the audience spilled out of the cellar the sun was slowly setting and with a wave of pink light a magical evening dawned.  For more information on events on the Cape Whale Coast have a look at the online calendar http://www.whalecoast.info/events/