I have this friend Niel. A passionate man with vision, extremely
talented and innovative. I first met Niel when a fellow colleague put my name
forward for a new group Niel was putting together. The “South African
Sopranos”. Honestly, I can’t imagine what Niel must have been thinking. Pitch
the idea to most people, and they’re put off (quite rightly) by the image of
larger-than-life drama queens, competing for the audience’s attention by
screaming at the top of their lungs with too much vibrato. But a new era was
dawning. I certainly had the time for a
new project, and figured that if anybody were to change the way people think
about classical singers, I might as well be part of the revolution! And what a
journey it’s been…
May 2012: The singers were selected, and the group
officially made our debut in a gorgeous, intimate concert venue. Five sopranos
serenading fifty audience members, and
they absolutely LOVED it!
A humble beginning yes, but a promising one nonetheless! Over the following months the group gained momentum, performing everywhere from the Nelson Mandela Lecture to the Suidoosterfees.
People were starting to take notice, but Niel’s next step was still an ambitious one. He wanted to get the group on the road. Not just to anywhere, but to the KKNK no less! (that’s the Little Karoo National Arts Festival - The BIGGEST arts festival in the country!) Coordinating everybody’s schedules proved problematic, but at long last Niel managed to secure a group, one that had never performed together, complete with new, highly ambitious repertoire. Eish! But the show must go on, and that’s how the divas found themselves en route to the town of Oudtshoorn - ostrich central in the heart of the Little Karoo...
A humble beginning yes, but a promising one nonetheless! Over the following months the group gained momentum, performing everywhere from the Nelson Mandela Lecture to the Suidoosterfees.
People were starting to take notice, but Niel’s next step was still an ambitious one. He wanted to get the group on the road. Not just to anywhere, but to the KKNK no less! (that’s the Little Karoo National Arts Festival - The BIGGEST arts festival in the country!) Coordinating everybody’s schedules proved problematic, but at long last Niel managed to secure a group, one that had never performed together, complete with new, highly ambitious repertoire. Eish! But the show must go on, and that’s how the divas found themselves en route to the town of Oudtshoorn - ostrich central in the heart of the Little Karoo...
Having toured with choirs throughout my high school career,
I thought I was pretty clued up on how these trips usually go. Yet, nothing
could have prepared me for sharing one house (and bathroom I might add) with four
fully-fledged Divas. I must admit, we
all had our misgivings about prima donna vibes, but it turned out there was
absolutely nothing to be worried about (Relieved for DAYS!). After coordinating
our bathroom schedule, our communal stay ended up being one of the most fun and
educational trips I’ve ever had. And don’t even get me started on the tricks of
the trade!!! Who else knows more about the best remedies for the voice in need
of TLC, tips for the removal of stubborn waterproof eye make-up (the answer is
baby oil by the way – who would have guessed?!), the proper way to lace a corset
or where to shop for bargains when you go prop-hunting? Then add decades of
insider gossip, the exchange of war stories
and industry jokes and you have the BEST kuier in the Klein Karoo J
But we didn’t go to Oudtshoorn for a kuier after all, we
came to sing - and sing we did! Our venue, an acoustic 100-seater, and our show
a total sell-out for the entirety of our run. It proved that Opera is NOT boring,
and it is FAR from dead! Niel has an incredible way of making the old new, and under
his direction well-known repertoire was transformed into something fresh and
exciting! I don’t know who had more fun- the audience or the performers?? There’s
really nothing more special than to share your passion, an experience evidenced
by triumphant cheers, standing ovations and a lack of dry eyes in the theatre. It was magic… So much so, that people wanted
to take us home – in CD form I mean ;) We’ll definitely have to start recording
soon…
To our director Niel, our accompanist Elna, and Sopranos Vanessa, Jo-Nette, Magdalene and Goitsemang - to
be able to collaborate with you has been a highlight of my year.
And if the experience wasn’t already enough, our production scooped up a prestigious Kanna nomination for Best classical music performance. The awards are taking place on 5 May, and everybody’s keeping their fingers crossed for a win! I’m incredibly excited to be attending the ceremony with my colleagues at the magnificent Mount Nelson hotel, but now there’s only one problem…
WHAT TO WEAR???
And if the experience wasn’t already enough, our production scooped up a prestigious Kanna nomination for Best classical music performance. The awards are taking place on 5 May, and everybody’s keeping their fingers crossed for a win! I’m incredibly excited to be attending the ceremony with my colleagues at the magnificent Mount Nelson hotel, but now there’s only one problem…
WHAT TO WEAR???
 |
| Magdalene, Jo-Nette, Elna, Goitsemang, me & Vanessa |
Makes me think of the Queen of Drag RuPaul's lyrics: "Cover girl, put that bass in your walk! Head to toe, let your whole body talk!"
Til next time, let the music play ;)
Lynelle ♥
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