THE Playhouse Company is set to stage their annual production of what is generally regarded as the greatest masterpiece of music ever composed in England, Handel’s Messiah. The production will stage at The Playhouse Opera Theatre on Easter Sunday, April 5 and feature some the best local and internationally-trained opera singers, accompanied by massed choirs and the popular KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tonight caught up with July Zuma (pictured), a Durban-born tenor who studied opera at UCT’s Opera School and the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain.
While he is a newcomer to the Playhouse cast for Messiah, but having performed in numerous international concerts and festivals, he is no stranger to this piece.
“I’ve performed this piece quite a number of times, in fact, I recently performed it in Durban, in Zulu, partly to commemorate 20 years of democracy in the country, but also to encourage the crossover of cultures.
“I’m thrilled to be performing with the KZNPO, it’s something I’ve been longing to do for some time.”
A press release from the Playhouse said the storyline for Messiah focuses on the biblical nativity, the crucifixion and the resurrection.
It is so popular that it is now performed annually in many countries around the globe, at venues that range from tiny community halls to the world’s leading concert venues.
Zuma believes that the reason Handel’s Messiah resonates so well with audiences is because of its relevance: “It’s a fantastic piece that is very relevant to society. I don’t think it is just about Christianity. It’s also about relaying issues of life and relationships in everyday situations.”
Having started in choral music, working his way from the school choir to the community choir, Zuma – who is now based in Germany – says that choral music is doing a great job of introducing young people to opera and developing the wealth of talent that we have in South Africa.
“It’s really challenging to pursue anything in the arts, the greatest challenge being funding because not so much money is put into supporting the arts. But it can be done. It’s not easy to survive, but there are a lot of opportunities abroad. It changes your life. With travelling you encounter so many different cultures and it grows you and disciplines you.”
Easter Sunday’s performance of Messiah will be accompanied by the KZN Philharmonic, directed by Ralph Lawson.
• Tickets for the performance: R95 to R110 at Computicket. For special group bookings, contact 031 369 9456.
Here’s a glance at some of the other soloists performing in ‘Handel’s Messiah’:
• KHUMBUZILE DHLAMINI: The young award-winning soprano has appeared in a number of concerts with KZNPO and in the Opera Africa’s staging of Puccini’s La Boheme and La Triviata at the State Theatre in Pretoria and the Johannesburg Theatre.
• VIOLINA ANGUELOV: The Bulgarian mezzo soprano has performed with distinction and acclaim in South Africa and abroad. She has an extensive repertoire, including a vast repertoire of sacred works.
• AUBREY LODEWYK: The baritone has come a long way with his operatic career since joining the Cape Town Opera Studio in 2006. One of the highlights of his career was in 2011 when he performed the role of Mandela in the world premiere of Mandela Trilogy in South Africa and again in its European debut in Cardiff, Wales. Other highlights include performances at the New Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv, Israel and the Mandela Day celebration concert in Paris, France.