Press: ESCAPE to 2018 Franschhoek Literary Festival for The Ingrid Jonker Suite

“She was both a poet and a South African. She was both an Afrikaner and an African. She was both an artist and a human being. In the midst of despair, she celebrated hope. Confronted by death, she asserted the beauty of life.” - Nelson Mandela, May 1994 A much-loved figure in South African poetry, Ingrid Jonker’s body of work, though small, continues to speak volumes decades after her death. She delicately and beautifully captured lust, love, heartbreak, anger and the fabric of everyday life in her poems.

Composer and vocalist Nicky Schrire sets André Brink and Antjie Krog's English translations of a selection of Jonker’s works to music in a world that blends folk, cinematic and art song genres. The songs are arranged for voice and string quartet, and actress Jenna Dunster delivers the poems in Afrikaans. Voice - Nicky Schrire Readings - Jenna Dunster Violin I - Nicole D'Oliveira Violin II - Matthijs van Dijk Viola - Annemi Phillips Cello - Ariella Caira Music composed & arranged by Nicky Schrire. English translations by André Brink & Antjie Krog (as compiled in “Black Butterflies”). Borrowed text from letters between Brink & Jonker translated by Karin Schimke (as published in “Flame in the Snow”). When: Saturday 19 May 2018 Where: Franschhoek Church Hall Time: 18:00pm-18:45 Tickets: R120 available from Webtickets

What audiences are saying:

"Poignant, melodic - really captivating . And original. We were spellbound." "An outstanding and deeply memorable experience." "A really polished performance. Great music. So refreshing to see something that breaks out of the mainstream."