Taking opera from the stage to the people

Shoppers at Soweto’s Maponya Mall were today treated to excerpts from Opera Africa’s forthcoming production Carmen, which features a stellar line-up of South African and international singing and artistic talent.

Carmen came to Soweto to give residents a small taste of what to expect from Bizet’s ever-popular opera with its gorgeous music and exquisite sets and costumes, to be staged at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria from 18 to 26 March and at the Joburg Theatre from 1 to 10 April.

American stars Cristina Nassif (who plays Carmen, the flirtatious gypsy who causes all the trouble) and Noah Stewart (who plays Don José, the dashing but naive young soldier who falls for her fatal charms) were on hand to chat to the crowds and sing selected arias from the opera. Joining them were international stage director James Marvel and conductor Tim Myers, who enthusiastically came on board to help take South African opera from the stage to the people.

South African talents Kelebogile Boikanyo, Rouel Beukes, Joey Masemola, Phenye Modiane and the Opera Africa Chorus also dazzled onlookers with their superb singing and obvious enjoyment at meeting and greeting existing and potential opera lovers from the broader Soweto community.

This mini-performance at Soweto’s premier shopping centre forms part of Opera Africa’s ongoing outreach and audience development programme, which aims to introduce new audiences to the magic of opera. Some of the opera company’s existing initiatives include offering affordable rates for schools, retirement homes and under-resourced communities; as well as the Opera Africa Studio which identifies aspiring young vocal talents and hones and refines their professional skills.

Set in the Spanish bullfighting hub of Seville in the 19th century, Carmen is a story of passion, betrayal and explosive sexual politics that remains one of the enduring favourites in the international repertoire. This lavish production – in French with English surtitles – will see a first-rate multi-national cast perform, accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

Booking is open at Computicket. For more details, phone (011) 883 4189 or visit www.operaafrica.co.za.