Opera UCT launches its 2026 programme at the Baxter Concert Hall with youthful brio and natural talent, as an array of operatic productions was announced for the year ahead, reports BEVERLEY BROMMERT:
Performances from the company’s members were not excerpts from the works to be staged, as rehearsals are not yet underway; their inclusion was rather to showcase the nascent proficiency of singers who will be prepared for their roles in the 2026 season. With sensitive accompaniment from Jeremy Silver and Lisa Engelbrecht at the piano, the stars-in-training showed their mettle to good effect.
The notable talent of baritone Sandile Zitha carried him through a robust rendition of the bravura aria Largo Al Factotum with aplomb, starting the evening in spirited fashion.
This initial energy was maintained as the young executants’ collective artistic stamina remained a constant throughout the concert, eliciting both commendable ensemble singing and expressive solos.
A highlight was superbly resonant delivery of the famous male duet from The Pearl Fishers from Mkhanyiseli Dyantyi and Themba Mdlalose.
Soprano Molly Dzangare delighted with her usual warmth and sweetness in works by Balfe and Offenbach; Dineo Bokala shone in her clear rendition of Vilja, and Setsoane Ntseki was in fine voice for the soul-stirring hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana, as the company’s chorus joined her in a finale that brought the audience to their feet.
Variety of collaborations
In his review of the 2026 programme, Maestro Jeremy Silver (Director of Opera UCT) announced a a variety of collaborations and visits from distinguished overseas guests, among whom are the internationally respected opera coach Janet Haney (whose two residencies will hone the skills of these fledgling singers), and acclaimed Italian novelist/dramatist Alessandro Baricco. The latter will share his love of opera with illustrative performances from Opera UCT’s vocalists in October at the Baxter Concert Hall.
Twofold collaboration with A&M Productions and Cape Ballet Africa results in a major production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice at Artscape next month, accompanied by the UCT Symphony Orchestra.
Another orchestra – the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra – will partner Opera UCT in a welcome initiative to present excerpts from Wagner’s operas at the City Hall in September in a concert celebrating that composer’s work.
Not for the first time, Stellenbosch University’s vocal division joins Opera UCT this autumn to present Brahms’ lyrical Liebeslieder Waltzes in both Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
In the wake of a warmly received concert celebrating Baroque music last December, Opera UCT will collaborate again with the KT Wong Foundation in an evening titled Enchanted Baroque at St George’s Cathedral to round off the year in sweetness and style.
What: Opera UCT programme 2026
WS
