Name: GYPSY
Start: 2025-09-18T19:00:00+02:00
Location: Odeion School of Music (36), Box 339, Kanseliers Ave, 9300 Bloemfontein, South Africa

GYPSY
with Albertus Engelbrecht (tenor) & Albie van Schalkwyk (piano)
18 September 2025 | Odeion | 19:00
The Odeion School of Music at the University of the Free State presents an evocative evening of song with GYPSY, a programme that captures both the fiery spirit and the poignant yearning of Roma-inspired music.
Internationally acclaimed tenor Albertus Engelbrecht and celebrated pianist Albie van Schalkwyk join forces to bring to life a rich repertoire where passion, nostalgia, and virtuosity converge.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the music and culture of the Roma people fascinated European composers, who transformed “gypsy” themes into some of the most dazzling works in the classical canon. This programme not only revels in the exuberant rhythms and infectious melodies but also reflects the deeper longing of a nomadic people for belonging and acceptance.
The evening will feature Johannes Brahms’ Zigeunerlieder, Antonín Dvořák’s Gypsy Songs, and a selection of beloved tenor arias from classic operettas, including Kálmán’s Die Csárdásfürstin and Gräfin Mariza, Lehár’s Frasquita and Zigeunerliebe, and Strauss II’s Der Zigeunerbaron.
The Artists
Albertus Engelbrecht (tenor)
With a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades in the opera houses of Nürnberg and Passau, Engelbrecht has embodied a remarkable range of leading roles—from Monteverdi to Verdi. His artistry has taken him to international stages in Switzerland, the USA, Austria, and Italy, including a highlight performance of Mendelssohn’s Walpurgisnacht at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. Since 2016, he has been shaping the next generation of singers as lecturer in singing at the Odeion School of Music, where he earned his PhD in 2023.
Albie van Schalkwyk (piano)
A cornerstone of South Africa’s art song and chamber music scene, van Schalkwyk is revered for his versatility as pianist, accompanist, arranger, and educator. A founder of the Songmakers’ Guild, he has collaborated with leading singers for more than 30 years and shared his expertise in workshops and masterclasses across South Africa and abroad. After retiring from the University of Cape Town in 2017, he continues to inspire through his Musicumbrella Piano Studio, fostering artistry and collaboration while maintaining a vibrant performance career.
Event Details
Venue: Odeion, University of the Free State
Date: Thursday, 18 September 2025
Time: 19:00
Admission:
R100 (Adults)
R50 (Pensioners, students, learners)
Tickets available at Quicket or at the door (card sales only):
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/333705-gypsy/?ref=events-list#/