Opera Jewels bring the audience to their feet at Montecasino
FOURWAYS – Opera sensations Levy Sekgapane and Megan Kahts recently took to the stage with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor, Kutlwano Masote.
The Fourways Review had the privilege of attending a one-night-only opera extravaganza on 3 April at the Teatro, Montecasino, to witness a showcase of eclectic opera favourites and lesser-known gems through the ages.
The fourth annual edition of MTN Opera Jewels concert, in association with Classic 1027, saw attendees trickling through the doors dressed in colourful dresses and pristine suits, taking a few moments to enjoy snacks and drinks while chatting about the evening ahead. Time ticked on and as each audience member made their way to their seats, with small humble greetings to strangers along the way, the Teatro lights dimmed to reveal members of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra sitting comfortably with their respective instruments.
As they waited for their esteemed maestro, Kutlwano Masote, to grace the stage, the auditorium filled with surprisingly harmonious sounds of musicians tuning violins, cellos and more.
They rose to their seats as Masote entered the stage and made his way to centre stage to greet the audience who began laughing as Masote quickly removed a microphone propped near him and said, “We won’t be needing that.”
With one small flick of the baton, Overture from The Marriage of Figaro thundered so beautifully through the auditorium that it was enough to bring tears to the eyes of some audience members.
Each orchestra musician played with much gusto, matching that of Masote, as the evening progressively showcased the talents of opera singers Levy Strauss Sekgapane and Megan Kahts, as well as the Tshwane University of Technology Vocal Art Chorus.
Kroonstad-born Sekgapane, started preparing for his future, perhaps unbeknown to him, as a child as he participated in various choirs before beginning his education at Tirisano School Eisteddfod in 2006. As a member of the Fidentia South African Youth Choir, he received a scholarship to Stellenberg High School in Cape Town in 2007. He went on to study at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town.
Later performing in various operas, including La Boheme, The Rake’s Progress and Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Sekgapane became a recognisable name to the point that he has been able to take his talent across South African borders.
Kahts, an emerging talent from South Africa, earned her bachelor’s degree in music cum laude from the University of Pretoria and her master’s degree in Opera und in Lied/Oratorio Singing from the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. During her studies in South Africa, she even won the first prize of the Philip Moore Music Competition. She now resides in Vienna, Austria.
Masote, the beloved maestro of the evening, was born in Soweto into a musical family and began violin lessons at a young age under the guidance of his father Michael, founder of the Soweto Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded a scholarship to study cello and chamber music at the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland after studying at the University of Witwatersrand.
After returning to South Africa in 1998, he joined the National Symphony Orchestra and made his conducting debut in 2006. Since 2013, he has conducted several opera gala concerts and began his own entertainment solutions company, Web Maestro, with his wife, Ma-Setlogelo.
As the evening drew to a close and the last few notes of Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from La Traviata rang out, the audience gave a standing ovation and begged for more, eventually prompting Masote to return to the stage and gather his musicians for a final performance. A truly brilliant showcase of South African talent, gracing Fourways soil.
Related article:
Glitz and glamour come to Montecasino as local film premiers
