Temba and Seliba
Temba and Seliba is a children’s opera composed by Bongani Ndodana-Breen with a libretto by Gwyneth Lloyd.
Sometimes written as Themba and Seliba. Reported as the first opera in isiXhosa.
Contents
The original text
The opera presents a love story based on a conflation of two Xhosa legends, featuring Seliba, queen of the underwater realm who heals and empowers the crippled Temba so he can win the hand of his beloved Marina.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1996: Premiere by Co-Opera at the Monument Theatre in Grahamstown on December 7, produced by Martha Munro, featuring Gwyneth Lloyd (Seliba), Ayanda Songongo (Temba) and Jane Silver (Marina). Music direction and accompaniment by Dennis Stander. Also performed in Moederkerksaal in George on December 13.
1997: Presented at the National Arts Festival
Sources
Official website. https://www.ndodanabreen.com/bio/
Denise Louw. 'SA’s first Xhosa opera'. Mail & Guardian. 13 December 1996.
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