Gratitude Concert music to the ears of weary hospital workers

DUBBED the Gratitude Concert, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra honoured the front-line health-care workers through music outside Groote Schuur Hospital on Wednesday.

The concert, which is the brainchild of Hospital Heroes to show recognition and appreciation for the work the health workers were doing, also saw thousands of them streaming it live during their lunch hour.

Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra chief executive Louis Heyneman said that it was the first performance for the orchestra in front of a live audience since the outbreak of Covid-19 and the hard lockdown.

“We wanted to tell them that they are heard and seen, and we honour, admire and thank them for the selfless work that they have been doing. The trauma of going through day after day of keeping us safe while we had no idea what kind of dedication that required is laudable.

“This was also a perfect opportunity for us as well as the orchestra as it's the first time performances have been opened up for a small audience and what better place to perform than in front of Groote Schuur, one of the famous hospitals, where we can show in front of the world how thankful we are for the brave work they continue doing,” he said.

Heyneman said the musicians were also happy to be able to play again.