Mozart classic in the Moot
A Mozart classic was performed in the Moot on Saturday.
The NG Kerk in Villieria treated residents to a classic opera performance by the Sempre Opera on Saturday.
Wolfgang Mozart composed the classic, Bastien and Bastienna when he was only 12 years old.
“This little one-act comedy was composed in 1768 and performed in a small theatre in the gardens of Dr Messner, a friend of the Mozart family,” said Linette van der Merwe, the chairperson of the Sempre Opera.
The story depicts Bastien and Bastienna’s pain and pleasure in love as well as the role that Colas, a would-be magician, plays in their lives.
“One of Sempre Opera’s main objectives is to train young opera singers in the art of performance and stagecraft, and cast them together with experienced singers in productions,” said Van der Merwe.
Three young sopranos made their performance debuts in the little opera – Ailyn Nienaber is a BMus second year student from the University of Pretoria and sings the role of Bastienna; Stéphanie-Claire Hansen of Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria and Reine Opperman of Menlopark Hoërskool.
The well-known tenor Chris Mostert sings Bastien and the magician are sung by bass-baritone Rex Nigrini.
The soprano Deirdré Blignaut-Rautenbach directs the opera and Schalk van der Merwe conducts the Sempre Opera Instrumental Ensemble,” she said.
Sempre Opera partnered with the NG Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church), Villieria and they have been promoting classical music in the Moot since 2014 with their popular Autumn and Halleluja Concerts.
A resident said young artistic talent should be nurtured and encouraged. “As residents we are happy and appreciate the organisers’ effort to bring such classical works to our community. It may be small for now, but all great things started small. We hope to see them [singers] more often as they mature as artists,” she said.
For more information on the Sempre Opera visit www.sempreopera.co.za or contact Linette van der Merwe on 082 923 1540.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
