As theatres and performing arts venues across the country begin to open their doors to audiences once more, the Joburg Theatre welcomes audiences back to its Mandela Theatre this Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October for a staging of the opera Cantiamo – Mzansi Opera Celebration.
Directed by Marcus Tebogo Desando, the production will feature the internationally renowned voices of Kimmy Skota, Kelebogile Besong, Thesele Kemane, and Phenye Modiane, with Paul Ferreira on piano.
The four South African singers will be joined by the Vivacious Sounds Choir for a wide-ranging programme showcasing some of the most beloved and recognisable opera works in the canon. The one-hour Cantiamo – Mzansi Opera Celebration will feature music from Bellini’s I Puritani, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Verdi’s La Traviata, together with a selection of local compositions showcasing South Africa’s contribution to the global opera repertoire. These will include extracts from Phelelani Mnomiya’s Ziyankomo and the Forbidden Fruit, and Mzilikazi Khumalo’s Princess Magogo.
In addition to the two live performances of Cantiamo, and in response to Covid-19 regulations, audiences across the globe will be able to stream the production online on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October.
‘Sadly, the pandemic has curtailed the ability of artists everywhere to perform for live audiences,’ says artistic producer and director Marcus Desando. ‘But it’s to Joburg Theatre‘s credit that we will have an opportunity in October to celebrate one of South Africa’s most valuable national treasures, our operatic voices.’
Booking is now open, and you can view these award-winning artists live on the Mandela stage in a special one-hour programme for R120, or stream the performance for R70. Visit www.joburgtheatre.com for further details.
