Sara Baartman Opera, Hendrik Homeyrs’ new work. presented by UCT Opera School and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, has its world premiere at Baxter Theatre Centre on 7 September
- Singing the title role will be two rising stars, Bongiwe Nakani and Molly Dzangare.
- The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, supported by the City of Cape Town, will be conducted by Jeremy Silver, head of the UCT Opera School.
- Conductor Jeremy Silver. Directed by Janice Honeyman and Zenobia Kloppers
- Set design is by Michael Mitchell with lighting by Mannie Manim.
Hendrik Hofmeyr
For Hendrik Hofmeyr, whose first opera won the SA Opera Competition and the Nederburg Prize for Opera when he was still a student in Italy, this new opera was a long time in the making.
“When I wrote the single act based on the end of this remarkable woman’s life for a series of 5 operas of 20 minutes in 2009, I knew that wasn’t the end of my commitment to her,” says Hendrik Hofmeyr. “I added three more scenes – in Cape Town, London and Paris – to cover her life’s journey, ending with that original scene.”
Sara Baartman was a Khoi-Khoin woman, exhibited as a show attraction in Europe during the 19th century. Two centuries after her death, she is finally regarded as a female icon and a symbol of the struggle for human rights in debates on race, gender and otherness. “I have been so happy seeing the fascinating woman’s story come to life with a wonderful cast of singers, a superb conductor and of course Janice Honeyman and Zenobia Kloppers’s exciting vision as directors.”
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WHAT: Sara Baartman Opera
WHERE: Pam Golding Theatre at the Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700
WHEN: September 7, 9 and 10. Ms Nakani will sing on 7 September, Ms Dzangare on 9th
TICKETS: R100 to R350 available on Webtickets here
INFO: Gillian Linder E gillian.lindner@uct.ac.za
