The Orphans of Qumbu

The Orphans of Qumbu is an opera by composer Allan Stephenson and librettist Michael Williams.

The original text

Published in The orphans of Qumbu and other South African operas for young people by Michael Williams, by Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd. 1995.

It tells the story of large group of children (the orphans of the title - a collection of 'lost souls') who are forced to work in the fields of Qumbu by the townsfolk who live in the town.

Translations and adaptations

In 1996, SUKOVS Opera commissioned an Afrikaans translation, Die Weeskinders van Qumbu, that subsequently resulted in ten performances in the Orange Free State.

A version of the opera, titled The Orphans of Koombu, premiered at the Buxton International Festival in the UK in 2019.

Performance history in South Africa

1993: First performed in schools in local townships, as part of CAPAB Opera’s outreach programme, with pupils and UCT singing students performing, directed by Michael Williams, with Allan Stephenson as musical director. The cast included Belinda Berman, Denver Smith, Christina Farr, Dale Wesson, Jason Crook, Ronnie Theys, Kevin Derman, and the chorus comprised scholars from the schools where performances were held. Also Performed at the Standard Bank NationalArts Festival in Grahamstown.

1996: Performed in Afrikaans as Die Weeskinders van Qumbu by SUKOVS Opera.

1997: Performed again as a schools tour, directed by Kim Gunning, with the "opening' performance at the Mary Attlee Centre in Retreat featuring the St Mary's Primary School Choir. Other performances included students from Fezeka High, Heathfield High, Khulani High.

2007: Presented by Cape Town Opera (10-14 July) and in the Joseph Stone Auditorium (July 18-26 July). Directed by Gerrida Dickason. Conductor: Alexander Fokkens. Cast: Janelle Visagie, Magdalene Minnaar, Aubrey Lodewyk, Miranda Tini, Ronald Theys, Ebenezer Sawuli, Learners of Kwamfundo Senior Secondary School and ID Mkhize High School

Sources

Wayne Muller. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis.

"The Orphans Of Qumbu". IOL. 17 July 2007.

Ivan Meredith. 2006. 'Opera in South Africa during the first democratic decade'. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Cape Town.