(Timothy
Sehau, Ayanda Zwane & Mlindi Pato)
Meet I Grandi Tenori – the force that has
been making headlines on our cultural circuit.
As their title heroically proclaims, the
proudly South African operatic threesome known as I Grandi Tenori is comprised
of a super-talented trio made up of three of the finest members of our
country’s new-generation stars-in-the-making. They are Ayanda Fitwell Zwane,
Kananelo Timothy Sehau and Mlindi Aubrey Pato - three tenors who perform under
artistic directorship of Sanele Mkhize.
Established in 2011, the talented singers,
led and directed by Kwazi Theophilus Mhlongo, emanated from the South African
Choral fraternity. The group was formed to lead the exploration of opera and
classical music within the country and abroad.
Looking back on their immediate past, the
singers acknowledge that 2017 brought with it much joy, enabling them to they
take pride in the mileage they covered in service to our communities.
Highlights of the year included their debut
three-hour concert in Durban City Hall, addressed by Dr Zweli Mkhize and The
Executive Mayor of eThekwini- Her Worship Cllr Zandile Gumede.
Another landmark event was the “My freedom
is My Pride” benefit concert which raised R56,000 towards assisting middle
learners with tertiary registration fees.
The year also saw the staging of the Let Me
Sing Opera Competition for the high school learners. This resulted in the
handing over of R17,500 cash prizes and setting up a bursary worth R170,000.
Further important milestones in 2017 were a
Spring Evening Concert in partnership with University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Opera
School and Choral Academy (OSCA); and the hugely successful Christmas Opera
Evening, presented at the Durban Jewish Club in collaboration with Friends of
Music, the KZN Department of Art & Culture; as well as Ikusasa Le Afrika
Foundation.
I Grandi Tenori takes pride in the
considerable repertoire it has built, from its remarkable performances. These
have become engraved in the hearts of our people in a wide spectrum of
momentous occasions that have been graced by their participation - awards
ceremonies, gala-dinners, conferences, pageants, weddings, summits, and
corporate- and black-tie events!
Run as a registered non-profit company
(registration number 2016/095435/08) under the section Education and Training,
I Grandi Tenori not only seeks to render world classes performances on stage,
but also to instil in determined youth the ability to hone a variety of talents
in different fields. The operational team consists of artists, researchers,
graduates, pianists, academics and leaders of great calibre. Proper planning
and thorough research is done in order to come up with a model which promotes
innovation in the Opera/Classical/Choral Music industry.
Guided by principles and policies which are
in line with the constitution of South Africa, the company was formed not only
to foster singing, but on the basis of empowering and enabling disadvantaged
youth to shine in the field of Opera music and live the dream of being
successful opera artists. Most of the team members come from communities and
schools where Opera music is not well recognized. As part of the empowering
strategy, the team is committed to visiting youth in disadvantaged communities
in order to provide full training as well as career guidance and motivation in
general.
I Grandi Tenori is currently working on a
project with Friends of Music which aims to showcase young musical and operatic
talent.
For more information contact Kwazi Mhlongo
on 073 1938 032 or email kwazi@igrandi.co.za or visit www.igrandi.co.za
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