Echoes from the Stars: VOX Cape Town’s Celestial Symphony Blends Music and Astronomy

In the crisp chill of Cape Town’s winter solstice, under the vast dome of the South African Astronomical Observatory, a unique harmony unfolded that bridged the infinite expanse of the cosmos with the intimate resonance of human voices. On June 20 and 21, 2025, VOX Cape Town, the innovative vocal ensemble marking its 10th anniversary, presented “The Place of the Stars.” This immersive performance series transformed the historic McClean Dome into a sanctuary where music and astronomy intertwined, inviting audiences to contemplate the wonders of the universe through sound and space. As the night sky unfolded above, the event not only celebrated a decade of choral innovation but also evoked ancient connections between the heavens and harmony, reminding us that the stars have long inspired melodies that echo through time.

The evening began with a journey through the observatory’s newly opened visitors’ center, where attendees absorbed a concise talk on the rich history of astronomy in the Cape. This set the stage for the musical odyssey inside the McClean Dome, a architectural marvel designed by Herbert Baker, renowned for its symmetrical elegance and acoustics that amplify voices into ethereal waves. The dome’s resonant qualities turned the space into an instrument itself, allowing the singers’ notes to reverberate like distant celestial bodies communicating across the void. Each performance lasted about 30 minutes, followed by a glass of wine and, weather permitting, stargazing through the observatory’s powerful telescopes – a perfect fusion of intellectual curiosity and sensory delight.

At the heart of the program was a carefully curated selection of choral works that drew direct inspiration from the cosmos. Opening with Ola Gjeilo’s “The Spheres,” the piece evoked the vastness of space with its layered, floating harmonies, mimicking the orbital dance of planets. This Norwegian composer’s work set a contemplative tone, drawing listeners into a meditative state akin to gazing at the Milky Way on a clear night. Following this, the ensemble performed excerpts from William Herschel’s “Te Deum,” a nod to the 18th-century figure who was both a prolific composer and groundbreaking astronomer. Herschel, who discovered Uranus in 1781, composed over 24 symphonies and numerous chamber pieces while pursuing his celestial observations, embodying the historical synergy between music and science.

The centerpiece of the evening was the world premiere of “Missa Desolata” by Associate Professor Martin Watt, head of Composition at the South African College of Music. This poignant mass was composed in memory of the late Emeritus Professor Peter Klatzow, a towering figure in South African music who passed away in 2021. Klatzow’s fascination with indigenous cosmologies and the mysteries of the universe infused his works with a sense of otherworldly depth, and Watt’s tribute captured this essence through desolate yet beautiful vocal lines that mirrored the isolation and grandeur of space. The program concluded with Knut Nystedt’s “Immortal Bach,” a reimagination of a Bach chorale that stretches time through overlapping phrases, creating an illusion of eternity – much like the timeless light from distant stars reaching us across millennia.

This event was more than a concert; it was a reflection on humanity’s enduring quest to understand the universe. The title “|gamirodi !khaes” honors the Khoe people’s name for the site now occupied by the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Health Sciences, recognizing its sacred significance in indigenous lore as a place connected to the stars. By performing here, VOX Cape Town highlighted the intersections of cultural heritage, science, and art, fostering a dialogue that spans generations and disciplines. The planning spanned nearly two years, involving rigorous rehearsals to master the acoustics and thematic nuances, ensuring every note resonated with precision and emotion.

VOX Cape Town, founded in 2015 by Dr. John Woodland, a research officer at the University of Cape Town’s Holistic Drug Discovery and Development Centre, has always pushed boundaries. Woodland, who leads the ensemble, emphasizes performing in unconventional venues – from wine cellars and art galleries to breweries and now an observatory – to juxtapose musical styles in fresh contexts. This approach invigorates choral music, making it accessible and immersive. Creative manager Dr. Kyle Paulssen, an anatomy lecturer in UCT’s Department of Human Biology, brings a scientific perspective that complements the group’s artistic vision, underscoring the ensemble’s ties to academia and innovation.

The links between music and astronomy trace back to antiquity. Ancient Greeks, including Pythagoras, proposed the “music of the spheres,” a concept where planetary movements produced harmonious sounds inaudible to human ears but reflective of cosmic order. This idea influenced thinkers for centuries, inspiring compositions that sought to capture the rhythm of the heavens. In the Renaissance, astronomers like Johannes Kepler explored mathematical harmonies in planetary orbits, likening them to musical intervals. William Herschel’s dual legacy exemplifies this: as a musician, he directed orchestras and composed prolifically; as an astronomer, he built telescopes and expanded our view of the solar system. His son, John Herschel, continued this tradition in Cape Town from 1834 to 1838, mapping the southern skies and documenting nebulae, double stars, and even indigenous flora. During his time at the Cape, John collaborated with Astronomer Royal Thomas Maclear and crossed paths with Charles Darwin, whose evolutionary ideas were subtly shaped by their discussions. John’s sketches of Halley’s Comet and the Magellanic Clouds not only advanced science but also inspired artistic interpretations of the cosmos.

In modern times, this connection persists. Composers like Gustav Holst with “The Planets” suite have orchestrated the grandeur of space, while contemporary artists sonify astronomical data – turning radio waves from pulsars into audible rhythms or black hole mergers into symphonic booms. Events like VOX’s performance contribute to this tradition, using voice as a medium to evoke the sublime. The McClean Dome, with its historical ties to southern hemisphere observations, provided an ideal backdrop, its architecture enhancing the sense of being enveloped by the universe.

The sold-out performances attest to the public’s appetite for such interdisciplinary experiences. Attendees described the event as transformative, with the dome’s acoustics creating a “cathedral of sound” that made the music feel alive and expansive. For VOX, this was a milestone in their anniversary year, building on a decade of enriching Cape Town’s cultural landscape. Past highlights include botanically inspired recitals at the Irma Stern Museum and collaborations with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, all underscoring their commitment to blending choral tradition with contemporary flair.

Looking ahead, VOX’s celebrations continue with a packed schedule. On July 30, 2025, a special birthday broadcast on Fine Music Radio will feature reflections and recordings from their journey. A birthday party at the Youngblood Gallery on July 26 follows, harkening back to their first public performance. Later in the year, events like “Eternity in an Hour” in March, a Lenten program at St. George’s Cathedral, and festive Christmas collaborations promise more innovative fusions. In November, a choral pilgrimage through city spaces on St. Cecilia’s Day will honor the patron saint of music, while December brings symphonic carols and poetic festivals.

This celestial celebration at the observatory serves as a reminder that music and astronomy share a profound bond – both seek to unravel mysteries, evoke wonder, and connect us to something greater. In a world often fragmented by specialization, VOX Cape Town’s “The Place of the Stars” unites them, offering a glimpse of harmony in the chaos of the cosmos. As the ensemble looks to the future, their voices will undoubtedly continue to echo the stars, inspiring new generations to listen to the universe’s silent symphony.

The impact extends beyond entertainment. By hosting at the SAAO, the event promotes STEM education through art, encouraging young minds to explore astronomy’s poetic side. It also honors South Africa’s astronomical heritage – from ancient stargazers to modern observatories like the Square Kilometre Array. In blending indigenous names with classical compositions, it fosters cultural reconciliation, acknowledging the stars as a shared human inheritance.

As the winter solstice performances drew to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of awe. The notes lingered in the dome, much like starlight traveling across eons, proving that in the dance of sound and space, we find echoes of our own existence. VOX Cape Town has not only marked a decade but has charted a course for choral music that reaches for the stars, ensuring the melody of discovery plays on.