Page 493 - Opera News Today

And particular through the 50s and 60s, when suddenly there was some real talent coming out. these amazing sopranos, like marian anderson who was a real pioneer. she had to iron on her own clothes before going onstage because nobody would do it for her. it was seen as beneath people to service somebody from that background. but she created such a stir when she was on stage and broke through many barriers. it is very important that we embrace diversity, not least because it sits within a traditio...

Cecilia is a special talent, and its notjust because of her voice, which is of course glorious, and especially for her age as well. she is an outstanding talent, considering how young she is. but it is also the fabulous warmth she brings to her performing. there is a real humanity and depth of experience which belies her age, and thats what communicates to an audience, and why they are so excited when they see and hear her on stage. now meet french tenor benjamin bernheim, who has big ideas abou...

Yes, i know in south africa now it is getting, people now know about it, than when i started. because we have the culture of singing, which is choral music and african music, which is actually not farfrom opera. in the autumn of 2021, cecilia is taking a major step in her career when she becomes a house soloist with the swiss national opera in the capital, bern. cecilia is a special talent, and its notjust because of her voice, which is of course glorious, and especially for her age as well. she...

I think the development in social media is great because that means my family from south africa can see my shows, and my friends from all over the world can see my shows. but there are concerns that too much opera is being streamed the big problem i see is that if we give to the audience everywhere in the world all the content that we have for the price of a cup of coffee, it devalues our work. i think it is very important not to make it expensive, not to make it out of reach, but do not go too ...

Cell phones exist, internet exists, streaming exists. we are in a hurry, i am in a hurry. this is why i call the opera business a jungle sometimes. the opera world is evolving rapidly. when a younger generation of artists have to embrace changes in the way opera is produced and enjoy. during lock downs, theatres were forced to close. after reopening, audiences have been cut back, production is pared down, and operas have been performed in concert form and streamed online. will this usher in a ne...

Business a jungle sometimes. the opera world is evolving rapidly. when a younger generation of artists have to embrace changes in the way opera is produced and enjoy. during lock downs, theatres were forced to close. after reopening, audiences have been cut back, production is pared down, and operas have been performed in concert form and streamed online. will this usher in a new era of creativity post—pandemic? well, technology is already providing new creative possibilities for opera. i do b...

But winning is important, right? winning is also important! cecilias talent shines through, and is bringing her recognition. but it has not been an easy path for black opera singers. the royal opera house is one of the busiest theatres in the world, and it is also leading in its drive for greater diversity and inclusion. black opera singers, mostly african—americans, are among some of the best—known names in opera history. but over the decades, performers of colour have faced major obstacles...

From, and it doesnt matter who is telling the story. it is the story of the character we are telling that should be important. # she wasnt wearing slacks...#. cecilia would like to be seen as a role model for black artists wanting to make it in opera. so, i think slowly but surely, we are going to have more people of colour singing in these big houses, so i think it is going there, and i think there is a future for young women like me, black women, in opera. would you like to see centres of oper...

So i think it is going there, and i think there is a future for young women like me, black women, in opera. would you like to see centres of opera elsewhere in the world, in africa, for instance? yes, i know in south africa now it is getting, people now know about it, than when i started. because we have the culture of singing, which is choral music and african music, which is actually not farfrom opera. in the autumn of 2021, cecilia is taking a major step in her career when she becomes a house...

I have been an opera fan for decades and i want to share my passion with you. so i am on a mission to tell you about some of the names in opera who are making it fit for the future. meet south african soprano masabane cecilia rangwanasha, who loves song contests, and is tipped to become a superstar. i was in love with opera from the beginning, but i actually did not know there was opera, ijust thought it was music. and, exciting french tenor benjamin bernheim on the thrill of live performances.