Project empowers rising opera stars

Published Aug 12, 2015

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ONCE again, UK-based, South African baritone, Njabulo Madlala, presents his Amazwi Omzansi Africa Singing Competition which aims to spot new operatic talent and provide a platform for singers. The project also includes master classes led by professionals in the field. Auditions have already been held and the semi-finals and finals will take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively at the Howard College Theatre at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

There will also be a concert version of excerpts from Verdi’s romantic opera, La Traviata. This will be performed by acclaimed US-based soprano, Bronwen Forbay in the principal role of Violetta Valery, with others including Madlala as narrator.

On his reasons for running the workshops and competitions, opera singer Madlala shares: “Just like many of the people I am helping, I am a child of the township. I come from serious hardship and danger, from hunger. But I have made it, well, for the time being at least, and as part of playing a significant role in improving situations for young people, I started this project. It is called Amazwi Omzansi Africa Trust, or Voices of South Africa Trust. It’s an initiative aimed at building bridges and creating platforms around the country from which highly talented musicians can come to learn, to grow, be inspired and be given a chance to showcase their talents. The project connects young artists with leading invited guest artists who have been working in the field for many years and mainly on the international platform.”

He tells me that his mission is to develop skills and to educate: “For a singer to make a career, they need more than just talent, but the skills and a complete package. They also need passion and a deeper understanding of their instrument, the job at hand, the business and opportunities that exist around the world. Education is key.”

Shedding light on the contestants selected for this year’s competition, I ask what qualities or characteristics he was looking for: “Talent, buckets of it, as well as personality, drive, instinct, passion and humility. And the winner will walk away with R10 000 and a year-long opportunity for mentoring and support. They are to use some of that money towards their development as a musician. Beyond the two- week long programme, the trust provides the 10 best of the group with ongoing support through mentoring by artists who come to South Africa from abroad.”

As for the concert taking place tomorrow, it stars the acclaimed US-based, Durban-born, soprano Forbay. It will be staged as a prelude to the competition itself, its semi-finals and finals running two days later. All three events take place at UKZN’s Howard College Theatre and are open to the public at no charge.

l Catch the La Traviata concert tomorrow at 7.30pm. The semi-finals and finals take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Tickets to the La Traviata concert are R80 and R100. Students and pensioners pay R60.

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