Albert Combrink

Like a Half-darkened theater

Both Howlett and Combrink wear more than one hat in the music world. He is a superb and humble accompanist and does his part almost unnoticed. Then he can be very flamboyant when he performs with the CT Tango Ensemble. She drifts effortlessly from classical to musicals to jazz.

For this album they chose ballads and timeless songs. The CD conjures up a half-darkened, small theatre. The pianist is probably wearing a hat, and the singer is in a black dress. In this atmosphere the work of Sondheim, Cole Porter and Edith Piaf fit snugly.

The most beautiful song on the album is Song to the Moon – Dvorak can be sung.

This is an album for a niche market, but will reward anyone who quietly sits and listens to it.

Mariana Malan

Die Burger (Also Published concurrently in Die Beeld)

Friday 26 November 2010.

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Great to hear Louise on a commercial release at last . I don’t understand why she hasn’t had more recognition for her talent ! I’ve always loved her voice and the way she uses it – not just any old singer this one – a special voice ! – thanks Albert for doing this album – Michael Hankinson via Facebook

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Beautiful! Very seductive! – Prof. Peter Klatzow

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Sweet voice, beautiful piano playing is what you’ll find on this 15 track album of well-known American standards. Interesting arrangements, here, the voice and piano work in complete harmony with each other. It is a perfect album for listening to in the rush hour traffic because at the end of it al your peaceful frame of sanity will remain, no matter how many idiots are causing road rage around you. – Eric Alan,  Radio 2000 Jazz Rendezvous Top South African Jazz Releases 2010 Part 2.

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What I heard was lovely pensive singing… gently carried by real subtle and sensitive accompanimet as opposed to wildly difficult jazz voicings,  which although exciting, with jazz duos often fails to create the carpet of melodic colour needed to really bring a beautiful voice like Louise’s to the fore. It also works well as a group of songs for a program – Anthea Haupt (Website Comments)

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Really beautiful! Bravo, Louise and Albert! – Dr. Barry Smith via Facebook

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I went to Night Sessions tonight, all the way out  to Die Boer, beyond the ‘boerewors gordyn’, and the show was amazing,  the singing sublime with such control, the piano work gentle and  sensitive and the unannounced song composed by Albert Combrink a  showstopper. I wish Besame Mucho was on the cd though. – Mark Hoeben via Facebook

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I listened to your “Devil Moon ” on Facebook. It is original, fresh and most enyoyable. Congratulations. – Prof. Thomas Rajna via Facebook

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Well Done Albert , you are a brilliant pairing  and agree with Mark your song was the SHOWSTOPPER, I want to hear it  again …PLEEEEZ ?  - Andre Smith via Facebook

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Listened to the YouTube version Louise and wow! If there’s a CD, I’ll buy it. – Martine Viljoen, via Facebook

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I really like what you’ve done with Louise Howlett. Such expression in your playing!! Congrats! – Zenobia Kloppers via Facebook

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Louise, I listened to your Youtube “Stardust”. Oh my, that was wonderful. You have got that touch – Mike Blake via Facebook

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Albert you and Louise are absolute stars, the  performance was just amazing and I sang to the CD all the way home! Keep up the great work, we need more performers like you. I can’t tell you how much it warms my heart to hear Rainbow Connection performed the way  you do! Erica Meles-Libenberg via Facebook

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That was a great launch; thank you for the music – Pauline Treffers via Facebook

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It sounds so cool!! Well done. – Antoinette Blythe via Fabook

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I’ve listened to some of the demo tracks – it  sounds awesome!!!! I know it’s going to be a  huge success!! – Yvonne-Marié Brand via Facebook

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Cd is awesome! go and enjoy launch! – Henriette Weber via Facebook

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This woman has an exceptionally gorgeous voice. Well done. Beautiful recording, Albert. You are indeed versatile – Anthea Haupt via Facebook

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Sounds great Albert – Carlo Bidoli – via Facebook

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Gorgeous! Jazz is a state of mind – and you have it!!! You complement one another beautifully!!! – John Walton via Facebook

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Sounds stunning. I’ll definitely get the album when I’m back home. Well done – Fran Leavy

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Wow! You did it again! You and Louise sound great! – Carin Johnson via Facebook

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SPLENDID! Good luck with whole cd, it’s marvelous. – Mark Hoeben via Facebook

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I also loved the concert and think that you and Louise are doing a fantastic job and performance. Well done. Hard work will pay off – Barbara Lenhard

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Sounds great! – Prof. Ruth Goveia via Facebook

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Wow! Great excerpt. Louise Howlett and Albert Combrink complement each other very well in this collaboration. Well done, you two – Anver Ali Karbelkar via Facebook

Like a Half-darkened theater

Both Howlett and Combrink wear more than one hat in the music world. He is a superb and humble accompanist and does his part almost unnoticed. Then he can be very flamboyant when he performs with the CT Tango Ensemble. She drifts effortlessly from classical to musicals to jazz.

For this album they chose ballads and timeless songs. The CD conjures up a half-darkened, small theatre. The pianist is probably wearing a hat, and the singer is in a black dress. In this atmosphere the work of Sondheim, Cole Porter and Edith Piaf fit snugly.

The most beautiful song on the album is “Song to the Moon” – Dvorak can be sung.

This is an album for a niche market, but will reward anyone who quietly sits and listens to it.

Mariana Malan

Die Burger & Die Beeld

Friday 26 November 2010.

Pauline Malefane and Mark Dornford-May accepting the London Critics' Olivier Award

This is one of the more adventurous, unusual and unconventional theater productions in which I have been involved. Using an eclectic mix of theater-techniques, re-orchestrations, and major re-stylisation, Mozart’s masterpiece Die Zauberflöte (K620) was workshopped and reshaped into the English musical theatre piece Impempe Yomlingo – Magic Flute. African dance, costume and instruments retell the story in a context with South African resonance. Musical influences include calypso and more traditional African music. 

Critical acclaim for the production and its various revivals at theatres around the world was high. It won the Globes de Cristal at the Théâtre de Châtelet and an Olivier Award in London.

What the international press had to say:

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Thrillingly, heart-burstingly alive
Ian Shuttleworth, Financial Times

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True Mozartians will love this enchanting version by Isango Portobello… It has all the original’s essential qualities: soaring lyricism, a sense of celebration, generous moral urgency, playful joviality. From the off, it is touching, sexy and cheeky and leaves you with a rare sense of life-enhancing joy
Sunday Times

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The overture would surely have made Mozart laugh with delight… Exuberant and youthful… a smash hit. Pauline Malefane is a majestic presence as the Queen of the Night
Sunday Telegraph

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Truly enchanting for children and adults. Warm, collective, universally accessible, musical magic
Time Out

Pauline Malefane as the Queen of the Night

An explosion of joy from the townships of South Africa… noble and beautiful and tender and funny and touching and true… Exuberance invention and glorious ensemble singing… A sense of celebration and resilience, that seems to encapsulate the human spirit at its best. Pauline Malefane is a thrilling Queen of the Night
Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph

Mozart would surely have loved it. Delightful
Patrick Marmion, Daily Mail

Performed with infectious wit and visible joy…
Mark Dornford-May’s vibrant, elating production
Paul Taylor, Independent

Mandasi Dyantyis has brilliantly rescored The Magic Flute… the singers are accompanied by eight marimbas which send a gurgle through the familiar music: it is as if the whole opera were floating on a stream of water. Sometimes it bounces, sometimes is jazzes… It is not only played: it is performed. This is music embodied and enacted… The spirit of Mozart is honoured while every decorous preconception is ditched. At the front of the auditorium five year-olds were gawping; at the back, 60-year-olds were doing the same.
Susannah Clapp, The Observer

Mozart as you have never heard him before, but magic nevertheless… familiar melodies filtered through the distinctive heartfelt and soulful sound and beat of black South Africa. I defy you not to sway along in your seat. A joyous show
Mail on Sunday

When the classical arias and ethnic ululations fuse, it’s euphoric. Mozart would surely have loved the cheeky wit of turning his orchestra into eight marimbas and the magic flute into a silvery jazz trumpet
Independent on Sunday

A joyous, exuberant experience
The Sun

Zamile Gantana is a hugely entertaining Papageno (Photo: Keith Patterson)

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Performed with unbridled passion and explosive joy
An object lesson in how to create authentic, vibrant theatre
Whatsonstage.com

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Packing enough energy to power a couple of national grids, and enough decibels to lift several roofs.Exhilarating and vibrant, exuberant entertainment
Richard Morrison, The Times

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Mark Dornford-May’s stunning adaptation. Listening to the overture played on marimbas is like hearing it with fresh ears
Michael Billington, The Guardian

Busisiwe Ngejane, Thazamo Mdliva, Sifundo Soji & Zamile Gantana

(Picture by Mark Freeburg)
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Pauline Malefane is exquisite as the soprano Queen Of The Night
Metro

The production team of Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo:

Director: Mark Dornford-May
Lighting: Mannie Manim
Choreographer: Lungelo Ngamlana
Costume: Leigh Bishop, Annamarie Seegers
Music Director: Mandisi Dyantis
Voive Teacher: Nolufefe Ntshabe
Repetiteur, music- and vocal coach: Albert Combrink

For more information, see http://www.magicflutethemusical.com/

Whawha Mosiea takes the role of Prince Tamino

Isango Portobello Theatre Company were recently presented with the prestigious Globes de Cristal Award for Opera for The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo, recognising their sell-out season at the historic Théâtre de Châtelet in France. The Globes de Cristal awards are France’s main arts and culture awards. ‘To win this prestigious award is a great honour,’ said Pauline Malefane, co-founder and musical director of Isango Portobello.
Malefane has also been nominated for a Fleur du Cap Award for Best Performance in a Musical for her role as Deus / Jesus in The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso. Mannie Manim, who joined The Fugard Theatre team at the beginning of 2010, has two nominations in the category of Best Lighting Design.

The production team for Magic Flute:

Director: Mark Dornford-May
Lighting: Mannie Manim
Choreographer: Lungelo Ngamlana
Costume: Leigh Bishop, Annamarie Seegers
Music Director: Mandisi Dyantis
Repetiteur, music- and vocal coach: Albert Combrink

For more information, go to http://www.magicflutethemusical.com/

… a special African flavor’ of wildness and mystery.~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

I found them colorful and interesting~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

A sensual and dance-tastic album in an Afri-Tango mood ~ Editor: SA Rock Digest, Issue # 205, 16 June 2003

If you love to tango like Al Pacino, then this is for you. ~ Editor: SA Rock Digest, Issue # 205, 16 June 2003

A full bodied and potent performance ~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

Offers a great variety, which makes it really interesting~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

~ Stanislav does a professional job on the accordion as does the Ensemble as a whole ~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

The pianist in particular, made quite an impression on me ~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

Tania Lukic-Marx, international Accordionist and CD reviewer for music magazines and the leading website in the flied, Accordions Worldwide, awarded the CD 4 stars out of 5 on an international rating.

Album of the Week ~ SA Rock Digest, Issue # 211, 28 July 2003

Das Cape Town Tango Ensemble ist wirklich sehr gut was seine Musik anbelangt ~ Editor: Accordion.com

… die eerste regte, egte Suid-Afrikaanse tango-album ~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

Die album is uniek in die opsig dat Afrika-klanke deeglik met die tradisionele tango-ritme inskakel.
(Transl: The album is unique in the African sounds blend in thoroughly with the traditional tango rhythm.)~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

Daar word ‘n ongekende warmte en diepte uit sy [Ricardo Fiorio] note gehaal
(Tranls: A hitherto unkown warmth and depth is brought forth out of the notes of Ricarodo Fiorio.) ~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

Hierdie album is vir luisteraars en dansers.
(Transl: This album is for listeners and dancers) ~ ~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

El Tango en Africa features the following artists

Albert Combrink – Piano

Stanislav Angelov – Accordeon

Jacek Domagala – Violin

Basil Heald – Double Bass

and guest artists:

Violina Anguelov – Mezzo Soprano

Dizu Plaatjies – African Percussion (including Djemba and Kayomba)

El Tango en Africa can be bought as an album, or as MP3 tracks, at Rhythm Music or at CDBaby

Released by Good Music World (www.goodmusic.co.za)

Passionate fun ~ Zane Henry, Argus (Tonight) - 23 March 2010, p.3

The rich sounds and fine musicianship are a pleasure to listen to even if you have never done the tango ~ Dominic Wardall, The Big Issue - 9 April 2020, p.37

Fans can expect to hear and see something quite extraordinary ~ Jason Curtis, Cape Times (Arts)- 23 March 2010, p.1 0

The album artwork is equally compelling. ~ Jason Curtis, Cape Times (Arts) – 23 March 2010, p.10

… nie net ‘n fees vir die oor nie, maar ook vir die oog. ~ Arts Editor, Rapport (My Tyd), 21 March 2010, p.4

The Baxter gets steamy… ~ Zane Henry, Argus (Tonight) – 23 March 2010, p.3

This is definitely not just another Tango CD – it is the second original South African Tango CD. ~ Editor, Thingstodocapetown - 19 March 2010

This exciting new offering has a real South African twist that sets their work apart from others and explores the boundary of jazz and other modern Latin genres. ~ Mark Hoeben, Thingstodocapetown – 19 March 2010

Albert Combrink was the vocal coach and repetiteur for a very unusual version of Mozart’s ever popular Die Zauberflöte, K. 620 presented in English as The Magic Flute at various theatres across the world, including the Duke of York’s Theatre in 2007.

Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award (2008) for Best Musical Revival and the Theatre Goers’ Choice Award, The Magic Flute is played in a township setting, encompassing the various languages of the nation including English.

The following review is by Timothy Ramsden of the performance 29 November at Young Vic Theatre, just before the production transferred to London’s West end for a series of sold-out performances.

“Magical and magnificent.

Mozart on marimbas. A band of them, under conductor Mandisi Dyantyis. Played by people who smile. And dance. And act. If Impempe Yomlingo, or ‘The Magic Flute’, doesn’t make you want to give up Covent Garden entirely, it certainly won’t have you reaching for your ENOs. And if Mozart’s spinning in his grave, it’ll be because he’s dancing along.

After an Overture whose lighter tones sound especially delightful on the instruments, there’s singing stronger than many musical stages in this country offer. And this company don’t need to be strapped up to microphones to reach out round the auditorium.

Then there’s Pauline Malefane’s Queen of the Night, a short role with high notes. Incredibly high ones, and Malefane hits them more surely than some top opera company divas have managed. It would be enough to expect of anyone – let alone an actor who’s also playing Scrooge in this South African company’s other show, derived from Dickens’ Christmas Carol.

Thozamo Mdliva as Papagena & Zamile Gantana as Papageno brought the house down with their comic antics.

The Young Vic say this is suitable for 10+ (adults included), but younger-looking children seemed transfixed by the colour and activity of Mark Dornford-May’s production. Anyway, the Flute’s about as near to pantomime as opera gets: it opens with a dragon (here, massive leaping flames), has a magical queen, imprisoned princess and a cowardly birdcatcher as comic sidekick. And, of course, a magic flute, its sound equated here to a jazzy trumpet.

While relating the action to Xhosa rites-of-passage, Dornford-May plays up the pantomimic, as a bunch of toughs prance gently under the influence of a magic music-box (its sound created by musical bottles tapped with spoons), or furrily pink-clad guides helping Tamino on his way.

Mozart’s music transforms the Flute. But the most sublime number is shared between the princess-heroine and the earthy Papageno. Here it’s accompanied by the rhythm of softly-clapped hands. It sounds ridiculous – no, it sounds absolutely lovely, even if it’s right without any obvious reason.

Whether playing Mozart straight, or infecting his music with South African rhythms, this never cheapens, always delights. With A Christmas Carol playing in repertoire, the Young Vic has imported a golden seasonal double.”

Review originally published Dec 01 2007 at Reviewsgate.

The production team for Magic Flute:

Director: Mark Dornford-May
Lighting: Mannie Manim.
Choreographer: Lungelo Ngamlana.
Costume: Leigh Bishop, Annamarie Seegers.
Repetiteur, music- and vocal coach: Albert Combrink.
Voice coach: Lesley Manim.
Assistant directors: Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway, Gbolahan Obisesan.