Latest news with #Oratorio
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Deal Music and Arts Festival sees Gull oratorio premier in Dover
An Oratorio for Gulls has been composed for the Deal Music and Arts Festival in work, by festival artistic director Luke Syles and librettist Hazel Gould, will be performed by pupils from Warden House Primary School, Deal, and St Edmund's Catholic School, Dover, accompanied by the Bold As brass and woodwind performance, one of the first in the renovated Maison Dieu hall in Dover, is about a young herring gull, forced to leave the nest and face an often hostile Feldman, head of music at St Edmund's, said getting children to go to a concert "under the premise of going along to squawk like seagulls" would open their eyes to the "wonderful world" of music. The work is the result of workshops with residents during 2023, expressing concerns over issues such as immigration, coastal erosion and housing Hacket, headteacher of Warden House, is playing with the White Cliff Symphonic Wind, which will perform in the second half of the concert."Some are very young children are in a choir for the very first time and so this is a very special experience for them, and I want to be a role model for them, so I am playing too," he said. The work is specially written for young people and composer Luke Styles developed compositional material with them directly. Graham Harvey, festival musical director, said: "It's something that's not very melodic but it's rhythmical and they can mimic seagulls and performing it is something they will never forget."An Oratorio for Gulls is part one of a trilogy of events, each addressing a different theme and performed by people who live in those Music and Arts Festival starts on Friday and An Oratorio for Gulls is set to be performed on Saturday.
The South African
12-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
End of an era as Avontuur Estate closes breeding operations
In a deeply emotional moment for South African thoroughbred breeding, Avontuur Estate has officially closed its storied stud operations after nearly four decades of excellence. Under the watchful eye and expert stewardship of general manager Pippa Mickleburgh, the Somerset West-based farm became a cornerstone of local bloodstock development, renowned for producing elite racehorses and standing champion stallions. The estate, once home to legendary sires such as Var and Oratorio, will now continue solely as a wine farm, restaurant, manor house accommodation, events venue, and recreational hub. However, in racing terms, the iconic barns and paddocks that once echoed with the sounds of future champions have now fallen silent. Mickleburgh confirmed that the final transport carrier departed Avontuur Estate in early May, marking the end of a 35-year journey filled with triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable moments. 'This farm has been my life for 35 years. My blood, sweat and tears are in the soil,' Mickleburgh said, visibly emotional. 'Many of the staff have been around for 20 or even 40 years – they're like family. It's a very sad time for all of us.' The decision to wind down breeding operations was made by the owners of the estate, with all horses – including 27 broodmares – relocated to Ridgemont, another leading South African stud operation. Avontuur's impact on the industry is difficult to overstate. Season after season, the farm produced Grade 1 winners, and most recently, it achieved a final flourish when the One World colt, Dreamworld, bred by Avontuur, won the Grade 3 Winter Nursery at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Mickleburgh, attending the event, was visibly moved during the winner's lead-in. 'That was the final group winner for Avontuur while it was still an operational stud. It was incredibly emotional,' she said. At last month's 2025 BSA National Yearling Sale, Mickleburgh attended her final sale as Avontuur's representative. The standout colt October Rush (by Rafeef out of Grade 1 winner Miss October) was sold to Form Bloodstock for R4.25 million, topping the sale. In total, Avontuur's seven yearlings fetched R6.45 million, with an average of R921 429. Mickleburgh, whose tenure ends on 30 June, remains uncertain about her next chapter. 'I think I'll take a break. I need time to reflect. Avontuur is in my DNA, and watching it wind down has been very tough – physically and emotionally,' she said. Though its breeding chapter has closed, the legacy of Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm will live on through the champions it produced and the lives it touched within the South African racing community. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
