Directed by Richard Cock. the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra made its debut in concert with Julian Lloyd-Webber, at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, in 1998. The musicians were all key members of the National Symphony Orchestra, the State Theatre Orchestra and the National Chamber Orchestra.

Some prominent overseas artists accompanied by JFO to date include:

Julian Lloyd-Webber, Sarah Brightman, Carl Rosa Opera Company, Pavarotti, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, 3 Tenors, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Vanessa-Mae, St Petersburg Ballet, Helmut Lotti, Dance Theatre of Harlem, IL Divo, Joshua Bell, Lynn Harrell, Florian Uhlig, Josh Groban, Patrizio Buanne, Kanye West

Local TV broadcasts include Woza Afrika, Sewende Laan Ball, and Nation Building Massed Choir Festival. Annual concerts include the 702 Zoo concert (15th year), Last Night of the Proms (11th year), outreach concerts in Eldorado Park (9th year). They are also the Orchestra-in-Residence at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, and have performed shows such as Rock Legends, Rat Pack and The Merry Widow, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Simply Ballroom.

They have recorded two Starlight Classics CD’s and the recent Bala Brothers CD.

In recent years, the JFO accompanied the South African Ballet Theatre in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, La Traviata, Giselle and Romeo and Juliet, and most recently played for the William Kentridge production of Mozart’s Magic Flute to excellent reviews. For the past three years the JFO has been proud to be the Orchestra-in-Residence for the 2005 to 2007 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

For further information please call Richard Cock on 011 447 9264 or Paul Rodgers (Orchestra Manager) on 082 444 2697 jfo.paul@telkomsa.net