Unisa to host much-awaited jazz and opera competition
Twenty-six young international vocalists to compete in the prestigious Unisa International Voice Competition.
Twenty-six young international opera and jazz vocalists will compete in the prestigious sixth annual University of South Africa (Unisa) international voice competition next year.
The competition is scheduled for 23 January to 3 February 2018 and will be held on campus at the ZK Matthews Great Hall.
Heard new soprano sensation and #ATKV-winner #PalesaMalieloa sing at the #LastNightoftheProms today. The talent of SA youth! Make way… pic.twitter.com/HfDm2GxA3Q
— Justine Limpitlaw (@JustineLimLaw) May 28, 2017
The competitors in the classical category are: Leah Gunter (South Africa); Justin Kroll (USA); Megan Kahts (South Africa); Frances du Plessis (South Africa); Caroline Nkwe (South Africa); Julia Brzhetskaya (Russia); Prosper Makhanya (South Africa); Nombuso Ndlandla (South Africa); Leo Williams (USA); Thembinkosi Magagula (South Africa) and Siphokazi Molteno (South Africa).
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The competitors in the jazz category are: Emma de Goede (South Africa); Elena Friedrich Sciubba (Germany-Italy); Jekaterina Sarigina (Latvia); Tahira Clayton (USA); Ágnes Bazsinka (Hungary); Amy Campbell (South Africa); Ellie Bignall (UK); Cynthia Abraham (France); Anna-Lucia Rupp (Germany); Ganna Gryniva (Ukraine) and Lauren Scales (USA).
Unisa said the vocalists have passed the qualifying round which was held earlier this year during which participants recorded their DVDs.
All the best to former students Palesa Malieloa and Nombuso Ndlandla who are competing in the 2nd UNISA National… https://t.co/uFPTxjnDZk
— NWU School of Music (@NWUMusic) July 9, 2017
“They will all perform the first two rounds of the live event in January 2018. After the second round, 12 semi-finalists will be selected and thereafter six finalists (three from each category).”
The finalists of the recent Unisa national voice competition will also take part in the upcoming competition, said the university.
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“Sopranos Palesa Malieloa and Cecilia Rangwanasha will compete in the classical category while Daniella Hart and Tshepo Tshabalala will take part in the jazz category,” said Unisa.
Earlier this year, Malieloa and Tshabalala won the Unisa national voice competition, which was hosted at Unisa, in Muckleneuk in July.
Palesa Malieloa & Cecilia Rangwanasha. Classical voice finalists @unisamusicfound National Voice Compet. With art dirctor Karendra Devroop pic.twitter.com/LpLWsh7r9n
— Ella Gouws Viljoen (@viljoenella) July 13, 2017
Tshepo Tshabalala, winner of @unisa' 2017 National Jazz Voice competition. #UnisaChancellor
#CalabashAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/qDULsrltGj— TM African School of Public &International Affairs (@MbekiSchool) November 2, 2017
Unisa international music competitions artists director professor Karéndra Devroop invited an international panel of experienced adjudicators, including: Barbara Hill-Moore (USA); Oswaldo Iraheta (El Salvador); Sibongile Khumalo (South Africa); Damon Nestor Ploumis (Germany) and Tomoko Takeuchi (Japan) will adjudicate the classical category.
The jury members for the jazz category are made up of Humphrey Campbell (Netherlands); Carla Cook (USA); Trudy Kerr (Australia or the UK); Judy Niemack (Germany) and Jeff Ramsey (USA).
“We are delighted that so many South African singers have passed the stringent requirements and have accepted the invitation to compete,” said professor Devroop.
Tshepo Tshabalala performs with a Karen Devroop Jazz Ensemble. #UnisaChancellor
#CalabashAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/kVYGDN9Xux— TM African School of Public &International Affairs (@MbekiSchool) November 2, 2017
“Their qualification for the competition is a testament to the high quality of South African performers who surpassed several international applications. The Unisa music foundation is extremely proud to offer these young musicians an opportunity to perform at an international event. The prize money usually provides much-needed funding for further music studies.”
The main prizes – totaling R820 000 – are sponsored by Unisa.
The event is organised by the Unisa music foundation.
Season tickets for the event are now available. For more information, phone the Unisa music foundation on 012-429-3311.
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