UBUNTU AUDITIONS

Port Shepstone Auditions: July 11 between 10h00 & 13h00

Nationwide auditions are underway for singers who wish to participate in the world premiere production of Ubuntu.

This is a ground-breaking new opera supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, that centres on the life and mission of Nelson Mandela, and other struggle icons such as Winnie Madikizela Mandela, Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Bram Fisher, Alan Paton and more.

Ubuntu has been composed and set to a libretto by the multi-talented Durban-based musician Juan Burgers, who for many years has been a key role player on South Africa’s cultural landscape.

Produced by Raphael Vilakazi, Ubuntu will be presented by Esayidi TVET College in collaboration with Bravo Africa Entertainment. With Burgers at the helm as its Artistic Director, the two-act opera will premiere at the Playhouse in Durban in November 2015.

Directed, designed and choreographed by the gifted Netherlands-based, South African-born dancer, David Krugel (Spartacus of Africa), Ubuntu will feature a hand-picked cast of leading South African operatic soloists and choristers, accompanied by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Lykele Temmingh.

Auditions were held on June 20 at the Durban Music School. Further auditions will be held on June 30 between 12h00 and 15h00 in Pretoria, at the Music Department of Tshwane University of Technology and at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music in Rondebosch on July 9 between 13h00 and 15h00.

Additional auditions for choral singers will be held at Esayidi TVET College’s Gamalakhe campus in Port Shepstone, on July 11 between 10h00 and 13h00.

It is essential to secure an audition slot in advance by calling 083 799 0045 between 20h00 and 22h00. Those wishing to audition for a place in the chorus must prepare an aria of their choice. Prospective soloists must prepare an aria by Verdi or Puccini.

Singers who are selected for the production must be available for rehearsals in Durban from the end of August 2015, through to Ubuntu’s run of performances in the Playhouse Opera in November 2015.