 All the latest news from Cape Town Opera 

Cape Town Opera Newsletter
3 May 2024 

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_At the Met, we are masters of illusion. When we want to create the
illusion of a 60-foot staircase, we build a 60-foot staircase._

CLEMENTE D’ALESSIO (1946 - 2020)  
Producer and director, notably for filmed opera for the Metropolitan
Opera 

Upcoming Productions
Bookings Open 

Donizetti: _Lucia di Lammermoor_

Artscape Opera House
14 . 16 . 19 . 21 . 23 June 

In commemoration of CAPE TOWN OPERA’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY, we proudly
present a brand new staging of Gaetano Donizetti's timeless
masterpiece, _Lucia di Lammermoor_, the very first opera ever staged
by our company.

Directed by the esteemed co-founder and Honorary Patron of Cape Town
Opera, ANGELO GOBBATO, this production promises a fresh and riveting
perspective on the iconic tale of ill-fated love in 17th-century
Scotland.

The production features the acclaimed Fleur du Cap-winning Cape Town
Opera stars BRITTANY SMITH, LUKHANYO MOYAKE and CONROY SCOTT,
alongside the award-winning voices of the Cape Town Opera Chorus.
Kamal Khan returns to conduct the CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
  
Dates: 14, 16, 19, 21 and 23 June 2024
Venue: Artscape Opera House
Age Restriction: No under 16s
Ticket Prices: R210 - R900

Senior Citizen discounts apply. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐ Celebrate Cape Town Opera's
25th birthday with us! ⭐
  
SPECIAL 25TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKET ON JUNE
16! 
  
Celebrate 25 years of artistic excellence with Cape Town Opera on June
16! 

Your ticket to the performance grants you exclusive access to a
festive post-performance celebration. Enjoy complimentary wine,
canapés and birthday cake marking this significant milestone!
  

 		 Book Here!
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Lerner & Loewe: _My Fair Lady_

Artscape Opera House : Cape Town
12 December 2024 - 12 January 2025 

Teatro Montecasino : Johannesburg
23 January 2025 - 23 February 2025 

Following the sell-out success of _The Sound Of Music_, PIETER TOERIEN
with CAPE TOWN OPERA presents LERNER & LOEWE'S musical masterpiece,
_MY FAIR LADY_. Containing timeless songs such as “I Could Have
Danced All Night”, “Get Me to the Church on Time”, “Wouldn’t
It Be Loverly”, “I’m Just An Ordinary Man”, “On the Street
Where You Live”, “Show Me”, “The Rain in Spain,” and
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” this grand production is
set to enthral audiences of all ages!
  
Cast to be announced soon! 

 		 Book Here for Cape Town!
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THE WEEK THAT WAS ... 

⭐ Cape Town Opera at Suidoosterfees! ⭐

_1. Opera Blocks: Jungle Journey_ 

Cape Town Opera's latest instalment of _Opera Blocks, Jungle Journey,
_delighted_ c_hildren and parents alike!

_Photos: Gys Loubser_ 

 		 _Cape Town Opera Chorus member Lusibalwethu Sesanti as the
dazzling narrator_ 

 		 _Judith Neilson Young Artist Tylor Lamani_ 

 		 _Left to right: Judith Neilson Young Artists Julia Portela
Piñón, Tylor Lamani and Van Wyk Venter_ 

2. _BON APPÉTIT!_  

Fleur du Cap winner JANELLE VISAGIE, with direction by MAGDALENE
MINNAAR and musical direction by JOSÉ DIAS, brought this unique
culinary comedy based on Julia Child's chocolate cake recipe to life
in a mesmerising 21-minute performance, celebrating the 21st
anniversary of the Suidoosterfees!

_Video: Elisabeth Manduell_ 

 		
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_Watch Janelle Visagie in this rehearsal snippet. _ 

3. SUIDOOSTERFEES OPERA GALA! 

The Cape Town Opera Chorus and (future stars) the Cape Town
Opera Children's Chorus shared the stage during the _Suidoosterfees
Opera Gala_. 

_Photos: Antoinette Huyssen_ 

 		 _Antoinette Huyssen and the Cape Town Opera Chorus and Children's
Chorus_ 

_Opera Blocks_
tours local communities! 

In addition to its successful run as part of the Suidoosterfees,
_Opera Blocks_ visited local communities around Cape Town, with
productions in Oceanview and Salt River. 

We would like to thank the CITY OF CAPE TOWN for their
generous support of this important initiative.

_Photos: Elisabeth Manduell_ 

_Left to right: Jaden Barends, Seung-Ree Lee (pianist), Julia Portela
Piñón (mezzo soprano), Van Wyk Venter (tenor), Lukhanyile Mtsolongo,
Lusibalwethu Sesanti (mezzo soprano), Tylor Lamani (tenor), Madré
Loubser (Head of Youth Development and Education), Ernestine Nur
Stuurman (soprano) and Ashleigh Brand_ 

_Julia Portela Piñón entertaining the young audience in Salt River!_


 COMMUNITY CONCERTS 

The CAPE TOWN OPERA CHORUS, led by Chorus Master MARVIN KERNELLE at
the piano, captivated audiences in Edgemead, Blouberg, Durbanville,
and Simon's Town with a series of free concerts. 

We would like to express our sincerest thanks to the JUDITH NEILSON
FOUNDATION and the CITY OF CAPE TOWN for their generous support of
these concerts.

_Photos: Daniel Comer_ 

_Left to right: Pumza Mxinwa, Linda Nteleza, Nonkululeko Nkwinti,
Danielle Speckman, Andile Tshoni, Siphesihle Mdena, Lindile Kula and
Garth Delport, with Chorus Master Marvin Kernelle at the keyboard_ 

_LUCIA_ _DI LAMMERMOOR _PHOTOSHOOT_ _...
  
_Photos: Gary Van Wyk_ 

_Brittany Smith _ 

_Left to right: Soprano Brittany Smith with Head of Production Maritha
Visagie _ 

See Cape Town Opera singers in
Cape Town City Ballet's
_I Got Rhythm!_ 

Sister Associated Companies of Artscape are joining CAPE TOWN CITY
BALLET'S new show, _I Got Rhythm_, which is billed as a celebration
of the city's rich cultural tapestry.

Performers from contemporary dance company JAZZART, singers from CAPE
TOWN OPERA, and the CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA are all part of
the show! 

 		
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_Newzroom Afrika's Yazeed Kamaldie gets a behind-the-scenes look at
this exciting new production. _ 

⭐️ THE 42ND INTERNATIONAL BELVEDERE SINGING COMPETITION ⭐️ 

Judith Neilson Young Artist mezzo-soprano JULIA PORTELA PIÑÓN has
been selected to participate in the annual Belvedere competition
alongside two former Cape Town Opera Young Artist baritones, THANDO
ZWANE and LWAZI DLAMINI.

The International Belvedere Singing Competition is one of the largest
competitions for young opera singers in the world, with a staggering
888 singers participating in 2023. This year the final rounds take
place in Urmala, Latvia from 2-9 June.

We wish them the best of luck! 

 		 _Julia Portela Piñón (mezzo-soprano)_ 

 		 _Thando Zwane (baritone)_ 

 		 _Lwazi Dlamini (baritone)_ 

Featured article:
_25 jaar se musiek, geskiedenis by Kaapstad Opera_
_[25 years of music, history at Cape Town Opera]_

Die Kaapstad opera vier vanjaar hul 25ste bestaansjaar en is die
enigste operageselskap in Afrika wat dwarsdeur die jaar aktief is.

_[Cape Town Opera celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is the
only opera company in Africa active throughout the year.]_

Mizanne Hattingh, _Maroela Media_
Read full article here
[https://capetownopera.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f44cd8b806e7c313624f01244&id=68548dbc4b&e=7446a82957].


CAPE TOWN OPERA'S GOT TALENT!  

Former Cape Town Opera Young Artist Programme tenor INNOCENT MASUKU
caught the attention of the entire world during his audition for
_Britain's Got Talent._

His powerful performance of _Caruso_ blew both judges and audiences
away. In just over a week, it fetched a staggering 2.7 million views
on YouTube!

Watch his performance below to find out why ...  

 		
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YOU SAY ...

Have something you want to share with us? If so, send us an email at
info@capetownopera.co.za or comment on our social media platforms.
Selected submissions will be shared in the next newsletter. 

_OPERA BLOCKS _| ARTSCAPE INNOVATION LOUNGE 

TINA BESTER
Had the best time with the little ones!! They're already nagging me
about seeing the show next year

KIRSTEN MACROPOLOUS
My little one loved it ❤️

JENNIFER PUCKOVSKI
Perfect afternoon out with the little one!
  
_BON APPÉTIT!_ | ARTSCAPE 

MATTHEW RENSHAW
Such a treat to watch! 21 minutes of pure entertainment 

NARRIMAN SING-LEE
Amazing! My first time seeing it - 10/10 recommend!!

ZEEEFAKROODEEN
Bravo 

  
_CAPE TOWN OPERA COMMUNITY CONCERTS_ 
  
JANET HILL-LEWIS  
It was a magnificent concert and i was very moved by the beautiful
voices i heard.... i cried almost through the whole concert as each
one sang solo.... what a God-given gift they all have.... !! i would
be honoured if you told them i was there watching and listening to
them and was very moved.... i think they all saw me in my blue shirt
wiping tears from my eyes in the third row.... i couldnt stop.... !! I
told my son .... he will try and get tickets too for the concerts....
you can also co- ordinate with him.... i am sure he may come if he is
not booked up.... his diary is booked sometimes weeks in advance....
!! It would be nice to have him there too.... !! WE value greatly what
you are doing.... what a WONDERFUL initiative and we wish you all the
success you so deserve.... times are tough now for everybody....
please, please persevere.... and dont give up. God is good....lift it
up to HIM in prayer and watch HIM bless you.... xxx i wish you a
wonderful future..... God BLESS you all....xxxxx Janet 

JEANIEPAY44
Thank you for your beautiful concert in Blouberg yesterday. We loved
it!!!!!

ANNIEMARAIS82
Amazing!! My family and I had such a great time ❤️

ALEXVANWYK
Amazing! Such a great talented cast 

ERINZUIDEMA
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 

LA TRIVIATA
_with_

KIRSTEN CUMMING
DIGITAL MEDIA ARTIST 

 		 _Kirsten served as the projection designer during the Shorts
Festival and will resume this role for Lucia di Lammermoor._ 

1. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB TO A CHILD?
I create the scenery for plays with pictures and videos and help make
the stories come to life….as if by magic. 

2. WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVERUSE?
Are you sure? 

3. WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
To be able to play and compose music.

4. WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My laptop

5. IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH THREE PEOPLE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO
WOULD THEY BE?
Yuval Noah Harari
Trevor Noah
Sam Harris

6. WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE DON’T
KNOW?
I joined the British Army…..for 10 days.  I realised very VERY
quickly I’d made a mistake and luckily hadn’t done my Oath of
Allegiance to the Queen yet so could get out of my sticky situation
without consequence.

7. WHAT WOULD YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE CALLED?
_A Million Questions_

8. IF YOU COULD REDESIGN THE FOOD PYRAMID WITHOUT ANY DIRE HEALTH
CONSEQUENCES, HOW WOULD IT LOOK?
Eating healthy would be first nature, delicious, easy and affordable
for everyone and there would be no food allergies.  

9. IF YOU COULD STEAL CREDIT FOR ANY GREAT PIECE OF ART (MUSIC, FILM,
BOOK, VISUAL ART), WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CLAIM?
Baraka

10. WHAT’S CURRENTLY ON YOUR MUSIC PLAYLIST?
Amapiano amapiano amapiano! I would love to do an opera with
amapiano-style music….amaopera! 
  

Kirstin Cumming is a digital media artist originally from Zimbabwe.
She obtained an Associate Degree of Applied Arts in Multimedia and Web
Design from the Art Institute of Seattle before relocating to Cape
Town to work in the editing department of the film industry.  She
soon discovered the world of projection art and started creating live
visual projections at outdoor music events, projection mapping art
installations and working in live theatre. Her versatility in content
creation and implementation has allowed her to move fluidly between
drama, opera, musicals, classical ballet, performance art and
experimental theatre.

Her credits include (Theatre): _Maxeke: This Work Is Not For
Yourselves, Dance of the La Gumas, The Life and Times of Michael K, As
Die See Byt, Snapped, Lalela uLwandle, Antigone (Not Quite / Quiet).
Opera: Tosca, Die Sewe Doodsondes, Sara Baartman, Cosi fan tutte,
Magic Flute, Der fliegende Holländer, Mandela Trilogy, Heart of
Redness. Musical Theatre : Star+Crossed, The Producers, Samson, Living
Coloured, Aunty Merle It’s A Girl, Danger in the Dark, South
Pacific, Tsotsi, Aunty Merle the Musical. Ballet & dance: Manyano,
Dreaming Dance in District 6: The Johaar Mosaval Story, Little
Mermaid, Cinderella. Experimental Theatre: Stream_

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