“What’s happening now with the pandemic is what happened to opera in the late 90’s”

Parys is a culture-rich town, home to many artists – both performing and visual. The Parys Arts Festival and the well-known Deo Gloria choir concerts are just some of the cultural events hosted by local artists. But, the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions are making it difficult for artists to survive. Parys resident and internationally acclaimed opera tenor, Stéfan Louw, is one of many artists who have had to find alternative income streams over the last year.

“What is happening now with the pandemic is what happened to opera in the late 90s,” explains Louw. He made his debut at the Pretoria State Theatre in 1998. “When the government closed down the regional arts councils, most artists were left without an income.” At the time, Louw was 23 years old and at the start of his career. He had just received the FNB Vita Opera Award for the Best Newcomer in Opera. As a young music graduate with a bright future in opera, the arts council’s shutdown forced him to find alternative income. He became a fault technician at Telkom.

“But it was not what I wanted to do with my life,” says Louw. “In 2000, I decided to organise a concert that I called Aria. Opera for Everyone. I think there were 20 people in the church. Still, I persevered and, by 2015, I produced full-opera productions, creating work for myself and 50 other artists that sold out at the Roodepoort Theatre.” Louw, who turns 48 this year, became one of South Africa’s top opera tenors. He received raving reviews from the critics for his performances over the years. Not only did he perform in South Africa, but also America, Europe and the rest of the continent. In 2017, he spent a year singing on the Greek Islands. He was at the peak of his career when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the performing arts industry at the start of 2020. “Opera companies started shutting down left, right and centre around the globe,” says Louw.

“Opera’s popularity dwindled over the last decade and the art form was already suffering losses, even before the pandemic. What made matters worse for me was that my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2019. When South Africa went into lockdown in March 2020, I had a full year of booked concerts to raise funds for her treatment. Sadly, I had to cancel them all. I sold my car and downgraded our lifestyle to compensate for the loss of income and her treatment’s added expenses.” “Because singing opera is the only skill I have, I started giving virtual singing lessons during the lockdown.” While the world struggles to recover from the pandemic, artists like Louw are fighting for survival. Theatres with a capacity of 600 and more are limited to having no more than 100 people in the audience. “It was challenging to break even before Covid-19,” he says.

“Now, it is impossible to arrange a standard concert without financial losses.” But, the performing arts industry is hopeful for a recovery. “We just need to approach things differently.” Louw explains that “concerts are now more intimate with fewer people in the audience. “There are no lavish sets and exquisite costumes. Live orchestras are being replaced with orchestra backing tracks.

Artists are doing more solo shows to reduce overhead costs.” Louw says it is vital for communities to support local artists trying to earn a living during these unprecedented times. Last month, he hosted an opera concert at his home on Third Avenue. “There were seven people, but I’d rather sing for seven people than not sing at all.” Artists from Parys who produce solo shows also contribute to local tourism, supporting other artists and local businesses. “If I host a concert on a Saturday afternoon, people who have bought tickets visit local shops, restaurants and galleries,” explains Louw. “My next concert is at the NG Kerk Parys-Suid on Saturday, 3 April.  

Viljoenskroon baritone, Werner van Coller, who will be singing with Stefan in his Easter concert.

When I do marketing, I inform people about the Hartelus Market and the Echo Wines wine-tasting event on the same day. That is just one way in which we can support each other as a community in these challenging times.” In December last year, Louw involved the community by hosting a free Carols By Candlelight picnic in the garden of his home. “It was my way of spreading hope in a time of despair. It also allowed my singing students to perform because they were unable to do so during the lockdown.”

Louw says he will continue hosting house- and smaller concerts in Parys to keep his voice in shape. “In doing so, I earn a small income and provide opportunities for my singing students to perform in front of an audience.” Amid all the uncertainty about the country’s economic future, performing arts is music for the soul to heal a broken nation.