Tribute to Gé Korsten

THIS year marks 20 years since South African opera tenor and actor, Gé Korsten’s death.

Frans Swart is bringing this legend back to life in a tribute production to celebrate Korsten’s extraordinary life, career and phenomenal talent, called Gé Sing: Hoor My Lied!

The production takes place in the Grand Arena, GrandWest on Saturday, September 28.

Top artists including André Schwartz, Louis Loock, Arina de Witt, Jannie Moolman and the PJ Twins from The Voice will pay tribute to the great singer, reinterpreting his music in a fresh way, and backed up by a full orchestra.

Audio-visual material projected against a giant screen will show highlights of Korsten’s life as an artist, father and man.

“Gé Korsten is truly a South African legend,” GrandWest PR and Promotions Manager Elouise Matthys said.

“This is going to be an excellent production. Anyone who loved Gé Korsten and his music should not miss this.”

Korsten received his first formal vocal training in 1952, studying under Adelheid Armhold at the South African College of Music. In 1955 he moved to Pretoria, where he was one of the founder members of the Pretoria Opera Company. In 1956, he debuted as Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci.

In 1962, Korsten won a bursary to study in Vienna, where he received tuition under Judith Hellwig.

Starting his career in 1965, with his album Gé Korsten Sing Uit Die Hart (Gé Korsten Sings From The Heart), he soon became a bestselling recording artist, with a career spanning 40 years.

Tickets are available from Computicket starting from R150. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.