On Sunday the 26th August 2018 I spent my afternoon at the opera, and this was by far no ordinary opera. It was an opera that filled the stage with amazing talent, whose angelic voices left the crowd asking for an encore. I am still new to opera, but when a performance leaves me speechless and wanting more, you must know that I thoroughly enjoyed this remarkable show. The Gauteng Opera Showcase took place at the newly build Tin Town Theatre in Ferriersdorp in Johannesburg, which is being transformed into one of the most sought after venues in the Johannesburg inner city.
Who is the Gauteng Opera?
The Gauteng Opera is an all-round performing arts and entertainment company focusing on opera related productions, concerts and events. With the slogan “Opera for Everyone”, Gauteng Opera aims to expose opera to varied audiences with different vocal
offerings. Driven by excellence in vocal performance and theatre, Gauteng Opera prides itself in being one of the foremost nurturers of experts and proponents for quality vocal performance and theatre practitioners. The artists of Gauteng Opera always strive to challenge the conventions of art and not to be confined to the traditional operatic repertoire. Their inspiration encompasses all genres that ignite their passion.
Gauteng Opera also greatly supports education and the development of South African singers. Through sponsorships and support for the Academy, Gauteng Opera trains young talented singers without the financial support to study at accredited tertiary institutions, and provide opportunities to develop their talent and performance experience
during a three-year internship. Being involved full time with Gauteng Opera, these trainees get tutoring in the various music disciplines such as singing technique, music theory, history of music, repertoire development & piano, the operatic languages, acting and movement.
They form part of the Gauteng Opera chorus and performs regularly with the professional singers. Gauteng Opera artists have performed throughout South Africa in various concerts, events and productions with the best orchestras South Africa has to offer. They are also involved in Community work with schools and charities.
Notable concert performances include Gauteng Opera’s One Voice: An African
Celebration, annual Christmas Concerts and Forté in Concert. Opera productions include Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata in 2015, three short South African operas, performed under the banner, Cula Mzansi in 2015 and 2016, Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore in 2016 and recently, Puccini’s La Bohème at the Joburg Theatre and Durban Playhouse. These artists are very versatile and perform regularly at various types and
styles of concerts around Gauteng and leave audiences in awe at corporate functions with their powerful voices and remarkable arrangements.
Where can I go to experience the Gauteng Opera for Myself?
Here are the details for their upcoming performances for the remainder of 2018:
Wednesday, 12 September 2018 at 19:00:
La Trinita Dinner Concert
La Trinita Restaurant, Kyalami Centre,
R200 per person, a la carte menu
Bookings: latrinita@mweb.co.za / 011 466 7949
Saturday, 29 September 2018 at 13:00:
Gauteng Opera City Walk with Flying Cows of Jozie Concert
The Market Shed @ 1Fox – Concert – free entrance
Bookings for the city walk: Josine Overdevest – josine@flyingcowsofjozi.co.za
Saturday, 06 October at 15:00 & 20:00:
The Merrow Down Estate Concerts
Merry Down Country Club, Magaliesig
R150 per person
Bookings: Vera Harvey – event@icon.co.za / 083 461 0857
Saturday, 13 October 2018 at 19:00:
Rotary and CCJ Fundraising Event for GO
Country Club Johannesburg, Woodmead
R250 per person, include substantial snacks – cash bar;
Bookings: Denise Cruickshank deni@global.co.za / 011 784 0617 / 083 448 4844
Wednesday, 17 October 2018 at 19:00:
La Trinita Dinner Concert
La Trinita Restaurant, Kyalami Centre
R200 per person, a la carte menu;
Bookings: latrinita@mweb.co.za / 011 466 7949
Sunday, 21 October 2018 at 15:00:
4th Sunday Afternoon Concert
Tin Town Theatre, Ferreirasdorp
R150 per person
Bookings: Arnold Cloete – arnold@gautengopera.org / 011 067 8001
Friday, 02 November 2018 at 19:00:
The Waterfall Hills Estate Concert
The Waterfall Hills Mature Lifestyle Community, Kayalami
R150 per person
Bookings: Sheila Irvine at sheilairvine5@icloud.com / 083 461 0857
Sunday, 04 November 2018 at 13:00:
Gauteng Opera Lunch at the Market Shed at 1Fox
The Market Shed @ 1Fox – Concert – free entrance
Enquiries: Lize Millward – LizeM@summitman.com / 082 780 3595
Wednesday, 14 November 2018 at 19:00:
La Trinita Dinner Concert
La Trinita Restaurant, Kyalami Centre,
R200 per person, a la carte menu
Bookings: latrinita@mweb.co.za / 011 466 7949
Friday, 16 November at 19:30 and Sunday, 18 November at 15:00:
Opera Scenes – Excerpts from Martha, Die Zauberflöte and Bastien und Bastienne
Tin Town Theatre, Ferreirasdorp
R150 per person
Bookings: Arnold Cloete arnold@gautengopera.org / 011 067 8001
Saturday, 01 December – evening (details t.b.c.):
Golden Classics 2018 – Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Gauteng Opera to perform with the Free State Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Kutlwano Masote with guest artist: Aubrey Lodewyk
Booking details to be released by mid-September
Friday, 07 December 2018 at 19:00:
Gauteng Opera celebrates Christmas at the Market Shed @ 1Fox
The Market Shed @ 1Fox – Concert – free entrance
Enquiries: Lize Millward LizeM@summitman.com / 082 780 3595
In the second blog post of this two part series titled “How You Can Save the Gauteng Opera” I will be sharing with you exactly that. We have unbelievable talent in this country and I have experienced it first hand myself, but do yourself a favour and go and watch these amazing artists perform live soon.
Information Courtesy of The Colab Network
Photos By Mariola Biela.
Last Image is my Own.
