South African opera singers have kept the country’s flag flying high by qualifying for the final of this year’s ‘Opera World Cup’.
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In a closely contested semi-final of Placido Domingo’s Operalia at the Artscape Theatre, the jury selected 12 singers, including South Africa’s Nombulelo Yende.
Siphokazi Molteno is a finalist in the Zarzuela, a Spanish genre close to the Maestro’s heart. All will perform with Domingo, who will be conducting the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), assisted by guest conductor Kamal Khan.
The 30th edition of the world’s foremost opera competition has treated fans to a spectacular line-up of some of the world’s best young opera talent.
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A diverse richness of voices will now compete for the prestigious honour of winning this world-renowned competition that has a total prize money of more than $200 000.
Selecting the best will be a difficult task for the jury, presided over by Domingo and comprised of opera directors, casting directors, artistic director and consultants of renowned opera houses.
The starting 34 from 15 different countries and selected from over 800 entrants were narrowed to 22 for the semi-finals, in which three of South Africa’s five hopefuls competed to much applause from the appreciative audience.
To encourage the next generation of South African opera singers to take to the stage, the KT Wong Foundation has made it possible for 120 students to attend the preliminary rounds. As the African proverb goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, and so special mention is also made of the valuable support from Rola Volvo and a prominent donor who wishes to remain anonymous, who have helped the hosts deliver this ‘World Cup of Opera’.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday immediately after the judges’ deliberations, when the final candidate has sung.
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Picture: Supplied
