Sidwill Hartman

Sidwill Hartman (1956-2019). Internationally acclaimed opera singer opera singer.

In some sources, written as Sidwell Hartman.

Biography

Hartman grew up in District Six. As a child he was a member of the junior choir of the local AME Church, and subsequently joined the Cape Town Boys' Choir.

The family moved to Manenberg in 1968. At the age of 17 he was introduced to the EOAN Group. In 1978, he started his training at UCT where he studied under Gregorio Fiasconaro, Desiree Talbot and Michael Brimer and for which he was required - due to Apartheid legislation - a special permit. He joined the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) Chorus in 1980 (as one of the first Coloured singers for this (till then) completely White institution). After graduating from the UCT Opera School, he was appointed soloist with the CAPAB Opera. Thereafter, he became the first South African to receive a full scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music in New York, studying with Simon Estes and Enrico di Giuseppe.

Career

In 1992 Professor Hartman launched his international career when he sang the role of Don José in Carmen with the Nantes Opera in France. He went on to perform at the Royal Opera House (as Radames in Aida, 1996), Opera de Paris, and the Vienna State Opera, among other great theaters.

At the time of his passing Professor Hartman was acting head of Vocal Studies within the South African College of Music.

Contribution to South African theatre and performance

Hartman performed with Pro Musica Opera Company, the State Theatre in Pretoria and CAPAB Opera, where he was a principal tenor.

Hartman performed in numerous operas, including: La Bohème and Werther (at University of Cape Town Opera School), Cavaradossi in Tosca (PACT Opera, 1996), Cavalleria Rusticana, Der Fliegende Holländer, Intolleranza, König Roger, La Traviata, Turandot, Nabucco, Die Fledermaus (Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society, 1981).

Awards

He received numerous awards, including the Nederburg Opera Prize for his rendition of Cavaradossi in Tosca and Radames in Aida. The latter role also won him the FNB Vita Award. Additionally, he twice won the Singer of the Year award from the Friends of Opera in Cape Town.

In 1985, he was one of the recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards.

Sources

'In remembrance: Sidwill Hartman'. 10 May 2019. https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2019-05-10-in-remembrance-death-of-a-colleague

Francisco Salazar. 'Obituary: Sidwell Hartman Dies At 62'. OperaWire. 17 May 2019.

'Last bravo for Hartman'. Cape Times. 22 May 2019.

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