Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Thami Zungu is Believed to be First Black Conductor of a Full Opera in South Africa


ArtsLink.co.za News, Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Cheerful opera appeals to young and old

The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT’s) Department of Performing Arts (Vocal Art) has 'concocted' just the right 'potion' as the ideal antidote to and escape from the daily doom and gloom South Africans have become accustomed to. In July and August, the Department will stage L’Elisir d’Amore (Elixir of Love), one of Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti’s most frequently performed operas. It features some of the most beautiful arias, among others, Una furtive lagrima (A furtive tear), which suits the voices of the young cast perfectly.”

Although the opera premiered in Milan as far back as 1832, its storyline – in particular the love potion bit - is not far removed from South Africa, where all sorts of concoctions are used as part of traditional healing, says Thami Zungu, the conductor and a lecturer at the Department. 'Dulcamara reminds me of a guy on a taxi I used to travel in, who sold potions capable of curing almost anything,' Thami says. As far as is known, Thami is the first black conductor in South Africa to conduct a full opera.” “L’Elisir d’Amore will be performed at the Breytenbach Theatre in Sunnyside, Pretoria, on 26 and 30 July and on 1 August at 19:30. On 27 July and 3 August performances will start at 15:00.” Full Post






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