They say jazz is the refuge of those not sophisticated enough to understand classical music. Jazz cats, on the other hand, believe classical music is jazz that forgot to evolve, jazz that is afraid of the streets.
But every now and then jazz cats like me will succumb to bouts of nostalgia and listen to a bit of Vivaldi or my namesake, Chopin. Or, if we feel particularly sentimental, go to the vaults and fish out a Pavarotti.
I couldn’t believe my luck last week when I switched on the TV and caught a concert by a new singing sensation in the classical music domain. This prodigy was at the exclusive State Capture Theatre in Parktown, but the broadcasters made sure that this once-in-a-lifetime performance was beamed across the nation for the benefit of the hoi polloi who couldn’t afford the tickets.
Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for Angelo Agrizzi.
This singer can hit the highest note in a manner that would have reduced Mimi Coertse to tears when she was still singing; but he can also hit the lowest note. His suite Bosasa — One That Almost Got Away was ably conducted by a maestro who is fast making a name for himself, Raymond Zondo.
The first movement is controlled and unassuming, as it reveals how Bosasa apparently got a R1.5bn tender from the department of correctional services under mysterious circumstances.
Agrizzi moves into allegro as he states how, when things began to hot up, his boss, Gavin Watson, allegedly delivered R300,000 to former president Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla compound every month to keep prosecutors at bay.
In the third movement Agrizzi launches into the bossa nova style, where melody is more important than context, and reveals how Bosasa allegedly gifted environmental affairs minister Nomvula Mokonyane with regular payments of R50,000.
As the music swings and roils, you begin to wonder: why, after 17 years at the helm of this company, is Agrizzi singing so whole-heartedly? Then, when you hear that he pilfered money from Bosasa, you begin to better appreciate the unmistakable intonations of I’m-not-going-down-alone in the performance.
With the music still ringing in my ears I readily agreed to a lunch invitation from my colleague Catriona Ross. At the Bolton Road Collection restaurant, still in the Italian frame of mind, I settled for a seafood linguine.
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The kabeljou, a very generous portion, thank you very much, would have been enough on its own. It was pan-fried to perfection — not crisp, but tender, as I like it. The fish was accompanied by four mussels, octopus, crispy squid heads and coconut, all swimming in a lime broth. Mamma mia!
Catriona was making "mmm" sounds as she tucked into her fish cakes. Soft music oozed from the speakers, wedges of sunlight poured through the windows and conversation from other tables was at the barest minimum as diners paid full attention to their meals.
I was amazed that the restaurant, which I’d driven past so many times without giving it even a second glance, could offer food of such superior quality. Because it was lunch time and I had engagements lined up for the day, we sailed through the lunch relatively quickly, without even having a glass of wine. I opted for Appletiser, Catriona settled for bottled water. In one hour we were done, which I felt was sacrilege.
The dining experience here should last longer. I know I’ll be taking Mrs K to this hidden treasure one of these days. And I hope Agrizzi will still be around to sing for us.
Bolton Road Collection *****
Cnr Bolton Road and Jan Smuts Avenue,
Rosebank, Johannesburg
Tel: 011-327-6104
Angelo Agrizzi *****
Mmusi Maimane ****
Cyril Ramaphosa ***
Nomvula Mokonyane **
Dudu Myeni *
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