Cape Town Opera presents a new production of WA Mozart’s comic masterpiece of impetuous love, The Marriage of Figaro (“Le Nozze di Figaro”) in the Opera House at Artscape from 18 to 26 October 2014. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of acclaimed conductor, Maestro Jeremy Silver will accompany this production’s talented cast.
One of the great jewels of comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro is a maze of unexpected twists and turns, mistaken identities, disguises and deceptions. There’s mischief and mayhem a plenty on stage when Figaro tries to outwit Count Almaviva, after the latter decides to claim his primitive right to have his way with Susanna on her wedding night.
Figaro is sung by bass-baritone singer, George Stevens; Figaro’s fiancé, Susanna is sung by soprano, Siphamandla Yakupa and in the roles of the nobility – Count Almaviva and the Countess Almaviva are sung by Mandisinde Mbuyazwe and Golda Schultz (see photo), respectively. Cape Town Opera is delighted to welcome Golda back to perform in The Marriage of Figaro and to offer local audiences the opportunity to experience her wonderful vocal talents together with those of fellow singers Lynelle Kenned, Violina Anguelov, Thato Machona, Lukhanyo Moyake, Xolela Sixaba, Esewu Nobela and Nomsa Mpofu.
George Stevens has portrayed the role of Figaro countless times and describes him as a special character, not really stupid or naïve as he is made out to be by the Count. “His plan of how to trick and still be the favourite without a finger being pointed at him is remarkable. Figaro is playful, yet serious and loving, and at times threatening, and takes on a challenge towards the Count,” says Stevens.
After completing her degree at the University of Cape Town, Golda joined Cape Town Opera in 2007 and subsequently won a place at the Juilliard School to study with Edith Bers, where she graduated in 2011. Her roles in the USA included La Fortuna and Valetto (L’incoronazione di Poppea) and Mrs. Jenks (The Tender Land) at The Juilliard School; Alice Ford (Falstaff) and Rosina (The Ghosts of Versailles) at the Aspen Music Festival.
“Golda Schultz was an impressive surprise as the soprano. The South African, now based in Munich shows stupendous security in her intonation, highlighting Rossini’s razor-sharp coloratura with power and nuance. A great voice,” says Süddeutsche Zeitung while Der Münchner Merkur claims: “…already a star: Golda Schultz, from South Africa, with an immaculately delivered generous soprano voice, has a genuine talent for dramatic action and a touching warmth in performance…”
Christine Crouse directs The Marriage of Figaro with costumes and décor by Michael Mitchell, lighting by Kobus Rossouw and movement by Jacki Job.
WHERE: Artscape, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: Saturday, 18 October at 6pm; Wednesday, 22 and Thursday, 23 October at 7:30pm; Saturday,25 October at 6pm and Sunday, 26th October at 2pm
TICKETS: R 150, R280 and R390 are on sale at Computicket.
INFO: visit Cape Town Opera
Following five performances only of The Marriage of Figaro at Artscape in October, Cape Town Opera will conclude its 2014 season with the South African première of Dominick Argento’s Postcard from Morocco at Artscape in November. This year has been a remarkable year for CTO as its fifteenth anniversary comes to an end after successful productions of African Angels in Cologne and The Netherlands, Bryn Terfel concerts and Show Boat in Cape Town and the United Kingdom, followed by Mandela Trilogy performed in Munich and Porgy & Bess in Bordeaux and Barcelona. Long may the success of Africa’s leading opera company continue.
