Angelo Gobbato

GABBATO, Angelo (1943- ) is an Italian-born South African bass-baritone opera singer and stage director. He studied the piano and singing privately while reading science at the University of Cape Town. He made his debut as Kecal in The Bartered Bride in Cape Town in 1965. He is best known for buffo roles such as Dr Bartolo in The Barber of Seville, Don Pasquale and Figaro. He was awarded the first Nederburg Prize for opera in 1971 for his portrayal of Papageno. He was resident producer at the Nico Malan Opera House in Cape Town (1976-81) and head of the opera school of the University of Cape Town (1982-88). In 1989 he was appointed director of opera for the Cape Performing Arts Board. He has directed - mainly from the Italian repertory - for all the arts councils in South Africa.