International opera stars Pretty Yende and Musa Ngqungwana are among many of Cape Town’s acclaimed international singers to converge on the city to mark the 75th birthday of Angelo Gobbato – and the launch of his book, “A Passion for Opera”. Kamal Khan will conduct the concert on Wednesday, June 27, at Artscape Opera at 8 pm.
Other singers who will come for this celebrity gala are
- sopranos Goitsemang Lehobye, Aviva Pelham, Nombulelo Yende,
- mezzo-sopranos Violina Anguelov and Bongiwe Nakani,
- tenors Marcus Desando, Lukhanyo Moyake and Given Nkosi, and
- baritones and basses Bongani Kubheka, Fikile Mvinjelwa, Siyabulela Ntlale, Xolela Sixaba and George Stevens.
Angelo Gobatto 75th Birtday Program
Bernhard Gueller will conduct the overture to Fidelio as the orchestra’s mark of congratulations amongst the internationally acclaimed singers.
Gobbato, who is the doyen of opera teachers in the country and responsible for launching the careers of many of these stars, has continued to nurture them over the years and hand-picked them to come to the city where they had their start.
The programme has been specially compiled to showcase the singers and includes works like the Flower Duet from Delibes’ opera Lakmé, as well as solos, duets and trios from some of the most lyrical operas on the stage today – Don Carlo, la Bohème, Aida, Carmen, Lucia di Lammermoor, Turandot, Pearl Fishers, Il Trovatore, and of course several Mozart operas like Figaro, Magic Flute and Cosi fan tutte. Show Boat, Porgy and Bess and The Flying Dutchman will also be represented.
Louis Heyneman, CEO of the CPO, says the orchestra is delighted to be part of the celebration. “Angelo Gobbato is revered for his part in the development of opera in Cape Town over many decades. His legacy at both Cape Town Opera and the UCT Opera School is unrivalled. Without him, South Africans would not be populating the world’s stages like the Metropolitan Opera, English National Opera, and many German opera houses at the very least.”
Gobbato’s book is a personal history of opera in Cape Town, most particularly focused on his involvement as singer, director and mentor.
WHERE & WHEN: Artscape Opera House, Foreshore, Cape Town 8001. Wednesday, June 27, at at 8 pm
TICKETS: R200, R300 and R400 are available at Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695 and from Computicket outlets an .
INFO: luvuyo@cpo.org.za / 021 410 9809.
PHOTO: Pretty Yende
