documentary focus I N KQ U B O - M BALI s e L O

Our Mimi

Compiled by Cherezaan Basadien the influence she had on Audiovisual Selector their lives. It includes artists such as Na- taniël, Hennie Aucamp, Pieter-Dirk Uys as n 12 June Mimi Coertse, one Evita Bezuidenhout, Pieter de Villiers, of South Africa’s living legends, DJ Opperman, and more. Ocelebrated her 80th birthday. Her De Wet, Wouter. Onse Mimi.- Perskor-Uitg., biography is called Onse Mimi and is a fitting 1976. (780.92 COE) description for all South African fans. She is This biography covers Mimi Coertse’s well known for her beautiful voice and opera life from the age of three. It is written in singing. Mimi is still active in promoting the Afrikaans and reads so much like a story careers of young South African singers, and that I could imagine myself growing up with serves on a variety of bodies set on further- her. It is a pity this is not available in English. ing the broad interest of music and culture in It covers her birth, growing up, her school South Africa. years, husbands, and life. The one thing that Although this column focuses on our inspired me in this book was Mimi’s dedica- DVD/film collection, I decided as an ap- tion and commitment to singing. She always petizer to her music, to include a few book believed she was going to become a singer titles as well. and even when she didn’t succeed in singing competitions at high school, she went over- Happy birthday seas for training and conquered the world. Coertse, Mimi. ’n Stem vir Suid-Afrika: my Mimi! May you be storie soos vertel aan Ian Raper.- Litera, 2007. (780.92 COE) blessed for many more In this biography, Mimi tells the story of her amazing talent, dedication, personal pain years! and international fame. Her achievements Van Rooyen, Johan. MIMI: ’n feesbundel ter made her the ‘Voice of South Africa’. In her viering van Mimi Coertse se sewentigste darkest times of isolation she sang about, verjaardag.- Protea Boekhuis, 2002. (780.92 and for, her country: South Africa. This book COE) is the life story about a gifted woman that This title celebrates Mimi Coertse’s 70th throws all her love and sorrow into her birthday. It features her friends and contains dream of becoming the best singer in the contributions by famous as well as ordinary world, and achieving it. Her life was just as people, divulging how they met Mimi and full of drama as the roles she played.

3838 Cape Librarian, July/August 2012 documentary focus I N KQ U B O - M BALI s e L O

Christmas with Mimi Coertse Cds in stock This CD features Christmas carols she Heimwee recorded in one session while she was This CD has an accompanying booklet that performing at the Nico Malan Theatre (now provides the lyrics of the songs she sings – known as the Artscape Theatre Centre.) as Mimi writes in the booklet: ‘Afrikaans, oh Silent night most precious language, closest to my heart! O Jesulein süss What can I say but that this language has Panis Angelicus had an immeasurable effect on my life and Mary’s boy child on my being? Adeste fidelis ‘Years ago I heard a famous singer The first Noël performing, and the first half of her Ave Maria programme consisted of German lieder. O Tannenbaum After the interval, however, she started O Holy Night singing traditional folk songs in her mother Joy to the world. tongue – the whole performance was transformed into an inspired magical Mimi Coertse birthday tribute event. At that moment I decided always to This CD was recorded for Mimi’s 60 birth- include a collection of Afrikaans songs in my day. programmes, especially in Europe. I wanted Der Holle Rache from Die Zauberflöte to share the beauty of my own language, Crudele!..Non mi dir from another side of myself, with music lovers all Martern aller Arten from Entführung aus dem over the world. Serail ‘The CD includes some of our most Ardon gl’incensi from beautiful and beloved art and folk songs E Strano…A Fors’ e lui from La Traviata and I hope that you might learn to love this Caro Nome from music as much as I do.’ Tu Che le Vanita from Afrikaanse volksliedjie Senza Mamma from Suor Angelica Afrikaanse wiegeliedjie Sola perduta abbandonata from Manon ’n Eenvoudige liedjie Lescaut Was mein Herz from Candide Kersliedjie ’n Briljante Violetta Rooidag Seven Boerneef Songs from Sung in Afrikaans. Al lê die berge nog so blou In die stilte van my tuin Note: The above mentioned books and CDs are Oktobermaand available in the Central Collection. Kokkewiet Die berggans het ‘n veer laat val Ek hou van blou Die roos Aandblom Kom dans Klaradyn O Boereplaas Op my ou ramkietjie Mali, die slaaf se Heimwee Magaliesburgse aandlied

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