My longstanding partner in crime – we put together programmes in various genres, from jazz, to musicals to this one, which was requested to be a straight classical programme. Opera arias, artsongs and solo piano pieces woven together to draw the audience in to our world and inhabit these glorious songs with us. Thank you Louise for always delving in deep under the surface for the meaning and significance of everything we perform.

Montagu Museum
Built in 1907, this beautiful church with its neo-Gothic elements has housed the Montagu Museum since 1975 and was declared a National Monument in 1976. The main aim of Montagu Museum is to research and portray the cultural-historical heritage of Montagu and its people. The museum owns a collection of oil paintings and drawings by the famous South African artist Francois Krige who lived and worked in Montagu. Included in the collection is one of his major works “Begrafnis in die Karoo”(Burial in the Karoo) which he bequeathed to the museum. The museum has its own oval date stamp which is an exact replica of the postmark which was first used in Montagu in 1858.The T.O. Honiball collection of cartoons and books is an important new acquisition. The archive houses all documents, photographs and Africana relating to the history of Montagu, and is becoming an increasingly important research centre. The devastation caused by the flood of 25th January 1981 has been fully documented by the museum.
Open daily from 9h00 – 17h00

There is something palpable abou tthe spirit of a venue in which music and prayers have been offered..

Dramatic evening skies calling in the Songs of the Night. A concert is ritual: a calling up of memories, invocations, casting spells and weaving magic. Never take it for granted or underestimate it. Indeed a “holde Kunst” and “heiligen akkord”

The Montagu Music Society has been in existence since the 1980’s. The Society normally arranges four concerts a year given by both local and overseas musicians and has a Bechstein piano.

Our beautiful Bechstein

The box where sopranos go who sing out of tune..

Albert Combrink (Piano) with hosts Andries and Sarie van Wyk

The original pulpit and portable pipe organ

Playing Debussy under the dead Armadillo – as one does of a Saturday evening when England plays rugby against Urugay…

Our beautiful venue. Read more HERE

African Sacred Ibis

African Sacred Ibis Tree

Flower Duet

Flower Fairies

Surrounded by beauty

Arum Lillies – Ria Combrink (Bloemfontein 1986) As I go to bed in Montagu, I look up and unexpectedly see this painting by my late mother Ria, painted 30 years ago. She was always fascinated by life: one returned the blessing of being alive by being fascinated by life. I’ve never felt more in common with her than this moment.

Thank you for your generosity and friendliness, Montagu!