(Juan Burgers)
Chorus rehearsals got underway recently at the Durban Music
School for the world premiere of Ubuntu –
The Opera by Juan Burgers.
Funded by the National Lotteries Commission and presented
under the auspices of Esayidi FET College in collaboration with Bravo Africa
Entertainment, the production will be performed in the Playhouse Opera between November
17 and 22, 2015.
Burgers’ creation will be staged as a 21st anniversary
salute to South Africa’s Struggle for Democracy while providing a showcase of
some of the country’s finest operatic talent. Set to a score underpinned by the
composer’s strong melodic drive and his bent for richly conceived vocal and
orchestral writing, Ubuntu – The Opera
is written in two acts with a prologue. Burgers’ libretto focuses on key events
in the years of struggle against apartheid.
Aside from the principal roles in the cast, the production
features a powerhouse chorus of some 60 singers who will perform with the
KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Lykele Temmingh. With
Burgers as its artistic director, vocal coach and repetiteur, and Raphael
Vilakazi its executive producer, Ubuntu –
The Opera will be directed, designed and choreographed by David Krugel.
Tickets R120, R180 and R250 pp (R90 students and
pensioners). Booking opens shortly through Computicket outlets at Shoprite
Checkers stores, telephonically on 0861 915 8000, or via the Playhouse box
office on 031-369 9540 (office hours), or online at www.computicket.com
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