Difference between revisions of "University of Cape Town Opera School"
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==Staff== | ==Staff== | ||
| − | The Italian [[Gregorio Fiasconaro]] was the first director (1952-1980). [[Angelo Gobbato]] was also director until his retirement, when the first non-Italian, the American conductor [[Kamal Khan]], took over. Khan left the Opera School in 2016. | + | The Italian [[Gregorio Fiasconaro]] was the first director (1952-1980). [[Angelo Gobbato]] was also director until his retirement in 2009, when the first non-Italian, the American conductor [[Kamal Khan]], took over. Khan left the Opera School in 2016. |
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
The [[University of Cape Town Opera Company]] was associated to the Opera School. | The [[University of Cape Town Opera Company]] was associated to the Opera School. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Opera School has always provided [[CAPAB]] and later [[Cape Town Opera]] with a steady stream of singers, providing employment and exposure for singers. | ||
==Productions== | ==Productions== | ||
| − | Early productions of opera were staged by [[University of Cape Town Opera Company]]. For productions presented at the [[Baxter Theatre]] in the 1970s, the billing [[UCT Opera School]] was used. These productions included: | + | Early productions of opera (from 1929) were staged by the [[South African College of Music]] and (from 1951) the [[University of Cape Town Opera Company]]. For productions presented at the [[Baxter Theatre]] in the 1970s, the billing [[UCT Opera School]] was used. These productions included: |
1977: ''[[Dialogue of the Carmelites]]'' | 1977: ''[[Dialogue of the Carmelites]]'' | ||
| − | 1978: ''[[Albert Herring]]'', ''[[The Bear]]'' | + | 1978: ''[[Albert Herring]]'', ''[[The Bear]]'', ''[[Three's Company]]'' |
1979: ''[[La Boheme]]'' | 1979: ''[[La Boheme]]'' | ||
| Line 35: | Line 37: | ||
1985: ''[[Xerxes]]'' | 1985: ''[[Xerxes]]'' | ||
| − | '''For earlier productions, see [[University of Cape Town Opera Company]].''' | + | 2000: ''[[Amarantha]]'' with [[Cape Town Opera]] |
| + | |||
| + | '''For earlier productions, see [[South African College of Music]] and [[University of Cape Town Opera Company]].''' | ||
== Sources == | == 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 Unpublished PhD thesis. | [[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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Hilde Roos]]. 2010. 'Opera Production in the Western Cape: Strategies in Search of Indigenisation'. Unpublished PhD thesis. [[Stellenbosch University]]. | ||
== For more information == | == For more information == | ||
Latest revision as of 12:12, 18 June 2025
The Opera Department attached to the University of Cape Town.
Now known as Opera UCT, under the directorship of Jeremy Silver.
Origins
Established in 1954 at the South African College of Music (SACM) at the University of Cape Town to ensure that singers could receive formal vocal and academic training to prepare them for a professional career in opera.
Staff
The Italian Gregorio Fiasconaro was the first director (1952-1980). Angelo Gobbato was also director until his retirement in 2009, when the first non-Italian, the American conductor Kamal Khan, took over. Khan left the Opera School in 2016.
Purpose
It provides training in all aspects of opera performance, and although it stages performances for the public, the SACM and its opera activities are primarily focused on the training of opera students.
The University of Cape Town Opera Company was associated to the Opera School.
The Opera School has always provided CAPAB and later Cape Town Opera with a steady stream of singers, providing employment and exposure for singers.
Productions
Early productions of opera (from 1929) were staged by the South African College of Music and (from 1951) the University of Cape Town Opera Company. For productions presented at the Baxter Theatre in the 1970s, the billing UCT Opera School was used. These productions included:
1977: Dialogue of the Carmelites
1978: Albert Herring, The Bear, Three's Company
1979: La Boheme
1980: Werther
1982: He Who Says Yes, Mahagonny Songspiel and Down In The Valley.
1983: The Beggar's Opera (with UCT Drama Department)
1985: Xerxes
2000: Amarantha with Cape Town Opera
For earlier productions, see South African College of Music and University of Cape Town Opera Company.
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.
Hilde Roos. 2010. 'Opera Production in the Western Cape: Strategies in Search of Indigenisation'. Unpublished PhD thesis. Stellenbosch University.
For more information
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