Margaretha Deysel

Margaretha Deysel (1936-) was an opera singer and teacher.

Biography

Margaretha Deysel was born in Springs in 1936 and received her training as an opera singer at the Conservatoire in Vienna. For four years she was contracted to the Graz opera house in Austria and returned to South Africa in 1965 after spending eight years in Europe.

As a voice teacher Deysel lectured part-time at the University of Stellenbosch. From 1999 she was a lecturer at the University of the Western Cape.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

In 1966 she sang opposite Nellie du Toit in Die Fledermaus and The Bartered Bride for PACT. For PACOFS, whom she joined as permanent member from 1969 to 1970, she sang roles such as Frasquita, Cio-Cio-San and Mimì, which she also sang for NAPAC. In 1971 she sang Micaëla for CAPAB.

Having formed the “Sangersgilde” in 1981, she staged several operas such as Amahl and the Night Visitors, Hänsel und Gretel and Cavalleria rusticana, in which she sang the role of Santuzza, her last opera role.

Deysel recorded many lieder programmes for the SABC and performed art songs on television. Her interest in lieder led to the forming of the “Liedmakersgilde” which she founded with her husband Johan Stemmet, Albie van Schalkwyk and Hanna van Niekerk in Cape Town in 1994. This “guild” presents lieder recitals on a regular basis.

Sources

Alexandra Xenia Sabina Mossolow[1]. 2003. The career of South African soprano Nellie du Toit, born 1929. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Stellenbosch.[2]

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