Durban’s opera school produces world-class performers
The school, based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has produced some fine performers. We find out more from the director, Lionel Mkhwanazi.
OPERA lovers celebrated the fourth edition of World Opera Day yesterday, October 25. It is an opportune time to note the city of Durban is home to a respected opera school. The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) produces many talented singers, some of whom progress on to successful international careers.
Lionel Mkhwanazi, the director of the Opera Studio and Choral Academy (OSCA) at UKZN, says the school was launched in 2002, in a specially designed training and performance facility called the Jubilee Centre, in Princess Alice Avenue.
The opera syllabus is included in the degrees and diplomas offered by the UKZN Music School, and tuition is undertaken over three years. Mkhwanazi says many students accept teaching positions after qualification as the performance opportunities are limited in the province and country. Some fortunate students will continue their education internationally.
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Mkhwanazi was born in Johannesburg and undertook his undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT) before earning a scholarship to conclude his operatic training at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Texas, USA.
“I no longer perform much as I teach a lot, and when opportunities arise, I’d rather allow my students to perform,” says Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi says that he came from a musical family.
“I come from a family that sings, and if they don’t sing, they play a musical instrument. I am the only one who sings opera, but I fell in love with opera and classical music when I watched Pavorotti perform Nessum Dorma at the 1990 World Cup when I was young. It changed the way I thought about music, and my love for music and opera grew from there.”
Nessum Dorma is an aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot.
Both of Mkhwanazi’s daughters sing.
“My youngest daughter loves performing, and she sends me recordings of her singing all the time. She was the female leading role in a production of The King and I. She was wonderful, and I am so proud.”
The opera-school director says that the city has nurtured many talented opera ‘exports’. Inanda-born Njabulo Malala is one of the brightest opera stars originating from Durban. The accomplished baritone is based in London but still has strong roots in the university. He started the Voices of South Africa International Opera Singing Competition to celebrate the medium and to give local singers an opportunity to perform.
“Whenever Njabulo returns to Durban, he always does a masterclass for the UKZN students, to give back to the place he came from,” says Mkhwanazi.
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The opera school students have recently presented Mozart’s Magic Flute to high school learners. The unique aspect of the production is that it was performed in isiZulu. OSCA would like to fundraise to take the production on tour for schools across the province and country.
For more information or to donate, email lionelmkh@gmail.com.
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