(Charlotte
Mhlongo as Gaia, goddess Mother Earth in the impressive Prologue. Pic by Val Adamson)
A major achievement in size and scope.
(Review by Caroline Smart)
Eight years ago, Durban-based musician and composer
Juan Burgers got the idea to create an opera that would be a 21st anniversary
salute to South Africa’s struggle for democracy. In his words: “I set out to
tell this story of terrible injustice endured by millions of South Africans,
through the medium of opera, the noblest of all art forms, in the knowledge it
would offer full scope for the stirring cultural background of our country,
while allowing me to recreate a birds-eye, or Cosmic, view of these historic
happenings.”
Four years later, the core of the opera was
complete. It had a title - Ubuntu – The Opera - and the focus now moved to
acquiring sponsorship under the vigilant eye of the project’s executive
producers Raphael Vilakazi, who is better known to Durban audiences as an opera
singer himself, and Dr Sipho J Nzimande.
Thanks to funding by the National Lotteries
Commission, Ubuntu – The Opera moved forward and tonight’s
audience in the Playhouse Opera were privileged to attend the world premiere of
a major new South African composition.
South African-born dancer and choreographer,
David Krugel –now based in the Netherlands – directed, designed and
choreographed this impressive work which focuses on key events in the life of
Nelson Mandela.
The opera moves from Mandela’s birth in the
rural Transkei through the years until he is eventually released from prison
and gives his inaugural presidential address at the Union Buildings in
Pretoria. This involves a massive range of different settings, costumes and
music styles. Burgers deliberately chose a larger female chorus than a male one,
reflecting the contribution of the women of South Africa
The prologue of the opera features Gaia, goddess
Mother Earth, surrounded by billowing fabric. What followed was a thrilling mix
of voice and audiovisual as the background changed from clouds to trees to
water to fire. Charlotte Mhlongo has a superb voice and she shone as Gaia.
The major character is Ubuntu – tonight played
by tenor Simphiwe Mkhatshwa (who alternates with Thamsanqa Mqaba). He is
ever-present on stage as a reminder of the meaning of the word – “one-ness” - ie
we are all connected, whatever our race, sex or religion.
Also giving impressive performances were
baritone Njabulo Mthimkhulu in the role of Nelson Mandela; soprano Khumbuzile
Dlamini (alternating with Nomsa Mpofu) as Winnie Mandela, and Thamsanqa Khaba as
Inkosi Albert Luthuli.
Huge credit to conductor Lykele Temmingh
who vigorously handled the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in what is a demanding
and expansive score which ranges from full-on all-stops-out power to gentle
poignancy.
I must commend the lighting and visual
settings which were splendid. My only problem – and I was not alone in this - is
that it was often difficult to hear some of the singers as they were set quite
a way back upstage and often drowned by the orchestra. Perhaps moving the
action more downstage or ambient microphones might help?
Ubuntu
– The Opera is presented under the auspices of
Esayidi FET College in collaboration with Bravo Africa Entertainment, and
congratulations to everyone involved – however large or small a part they
played – to pulling off a major achievement of this size and scope. Durban is
privileged to host its world premiere.
Performances on Friday and Saturday at
19h30 and Sunday at 14h30 in the Playhouse Opera. Thanks to the support of the
NLC, tickets are an extremely affordable R50 for a production of this
magnitude. Booking through Computicket outlets at Shoprite Checkers stores,
telephonically on 0861 915 8000, via the Playhouse box office on 031 369 9540
(office hours), or online at www.computicket.com
– Caroline Smart
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