Opera Africa

Opera Africa is a South African opera company.

History

Founded by with Sandra de Villiers and Hein de Villiers as a non-profit organisation in 1994 in Durban but relocated to Johannesburg in 2005. It has a core of full-time choristers and soloists and seeks to present uniquely South African productions in major opera houses. Over the years the company has established a wide range partners, including the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Theater Erfurt, Germany, and Il Teatro Lirico di Sperimetale, Spoleto, Italy. From time to time American conductors and directors of high standing are employed to enhance the work. They have also toured internationally, in cities as far afield as Chicago, Amsterdam and Oslo.

Sandra de Villiers is the CEO of Opera Africa, and Hein de Villiers has been Opera Africa’s artistic director since 1995.

New works

A key objective of the company has been the commissioning of new South African works such as Princess Magogo (composed by Mzilikazi Khumalo) and Ziyankomo and the Forbidden Fruit (by Phelelani Mnomiya).

Productions

Initially operating as a national touring opera company, presenting mainstage productions such as The Magic Flute, Fidelio, Faust, and Carmen, it has confined its productions to the South African State Theatre, Pretoria and the Joburg Theatre since 2005, acting as the premier opera company for these venues.

1995: The Magic Flute

199?: Carmen

1997: The Magic Flute

1998: Faust

2002: Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu

2004: La Traviata

2005: Rigoletto (State Theatre and in Bloemfontein)

2006: I Capuleti e i Montecchi

2008: Aida

2010: La Bohème, La Traviata

2011: Carmen

2012: Ziyankomo and the Forbidden Fruit