Cape Town Opera presents ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ at Roodepoort Theatre

Le Nozze di Figaro performance. Image: Nokuthula Mbatha/African News Agency (ANA)

Le Nozze di Figaro performance. Image: Nokuthula Mbatha/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Jul 7, 2022

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Opera lovers came out in numbers to have the full experience of Cape Town Opera, which presented Mozart’s masterpiece “Le Nozze di Figaro” in Roodepoort on Tuesday night.

Sponsored by the Judith Neilson Head Trust in collaboration with Sempre Opera, it is the first opera to be staged at the Roodepoort Theatre since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, and is set to run from July 5 to 15.

Le Nozze di Figaro performance. Image: Nokuthula Mbatha/African News Agency (ANA)

This production also forms part of the first Judith Neilson Cape Town Opera Tour of 2022.

The Star spoke to Innocent Xaba, a producer at the Roodepoort Theatre, who shared details about this production.

“This is the first opera that we are hosting as the Roodepoort Theatre after Covid restrictions have been lifted, so we are at a full house and we are very excited about it. It is a partnership with Sempre, Cape Town Opera and Roodepoort Theatre, produced seamlessly by three production houses.”

The Judith Neilson Head Trust, Cape Town Opera, in collaboration with Sempre Opera and Roodepoort Theatre, presents Mozart's famous masterpiece, Le Nozze di Figaro at the Roodepoort Theatre from 06 – 15 July 2022. Image: Nokuthula Mbatha/African News Agency (ANA)

Xaba explained what the “Le Nozze Di Figaro” masterpiece is all about.

“It is the Marriage of Figaro. It is an old classic Mozart piece, it’s an opera piece. And people who are opera-conscious understand what or how big the classic is and what it means to the arts and opera in Roodepoort Theatre, previously known as a pro-musical theatre. We are an original opera house from the 1980s, so we are trying the carry our traditional history,” said Xaba.

The stellar South African cast features Conroy Scott as Figaro, Brittany Smith as Susanna, William Berger and Siphamandla Moyake as Count and Countess Almaviva, Megan Kahts in her trouser role debut as Cherubino, Monica Mhangwana as Marcellina, Danie Verster as Bartolo, Chris Mostert as Basilio/Don Curzio, Alida Stoman as Barbarina, Rouel Beukes as Antonio, and the Sempre Opera Adhoc Chorus under the direction of Chorus Master Colleen Maré.

The piece is full of lust, love and many other issues that are relevant in society today. It challenges gender-based violence, equality, masculinity, boy child, and unhappiness in marriages.

Le Nozze di Figaro will be at the Roodepoort Theatre from 06 – 15 July 2022. Image: Nokuthula Mbatha/African News Agency (ANA)

General manager of Roodepoort Theatre, Pritheven Pillay, said they were elated to have Cape Town Opera and encouraged the audiences to return to the theatre.

“We are delighted to welcome Cape Town Opera, Africa’s premier opera company, to the Roodepoort Theatre to host to one of the most performed and best-loved operas worldwide. We believe a production such as ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ is symbolic of our commitment to supporting and growing local talent.”

Tickets are R200 from webtickets.co.za.

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