‘Onse Mimi’ – the legacy of a legend lives on
Two alumni and a former accompanist of Mimi Coertse honours her impact and influence on their lives and careers.
Pretoria’s own living opera legend Mimi Coertse is turning 92 on June 12.
Coertse was South Africa’s first operatic prima donna. For 17 years she held that position in Vienna, where she reigned as the first coloratura of the famed Vienna State Opera. She became a celebrated operatic artist after arriving in Vienna in 1954. She studied at the Vienna Academy for only 18 months before stunning the sophisticated Viennese public with a sensational debut at the State Opera.
The rest, as they say, is history. Coertse became a national treasure, celebrated in South Africa when she returned in 1973 and continued to sing. She taught young South African singers to sing lieder (German art songs). She also created a fund to help young South Africans study in Europe. In addition, Coertse cofounded the Black Tie Ensemble, a multicultural group of young opera singers.
Rekord spoke to two alumni of Coertse’s Black Tie Ensemble and her trusted accompanist of more than 50 years.
Loveline Madumo said Coertse has been such a blessing to South Africa and her personally.
“In 1995 I was privileged to be in the musical Sound of Music with her. I was in the chorus. In 1999 she chose me and others to sing in her annual programme Debut with Mimi and from there I worked under her and Neels Hansen in the Black Tie Ensemble,” said Madumo.
Madumo has been seen in roles such as Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, Mimi in La Boheme and Tosca in Tosca.
Today Madumo is the founder and director of Loveline Arts Foundation, a vehicle to provide a performance platform to both young people and professionals.
Madumo said she has a special bond with Coertse.
“She shares with me some of her outfits she loved but no longer uses. She trained my voice for a short time and I learned so much from her about stage performance, and how to interpret songs. She trained me specifically to sing ‘Heimweë’, one of her favourite Afrikaans songs. It is always a highlight,” emphasised Madumo.
She fondly recalls Coertse being invited to Vienna in Austria and taking her as well as other musicians, along.
“We met some of her fans and people who respected her very much,” said Madumo.
The mezzo-soprano, Veramarie Meyer, was chosen in the late 1990s to sing in Debut with Mimi and became a member of the Black Tie Ensemble.
Meyer was also selected by Mimi Coertse as one of the six singers to form the Bel Canto Ensemble.
She is currently in the process of recording Afrikaans art and folk songs.
“I was privileged to have Mimi as a mentor since my first year of studies in 1997. She had a wealth of knowledge which she shared with the students. She was passionate about opera as an art form and always tried her utmost to create opportunities and platforms for young singers,” said Meyer.
On a more personal level, she said Coertse often reminded her of the importance of family life.
“I made a decision early in my life to stay in South Africa and have as much of a balanced life as I possibly could while still performing,” said Meyer.
She appreciates the fact that Coertse “always made time for us”.
“She would attend almost every rehearsal and even when I decided to release an album with a slightly lighter tone titled Stardust, Mimi was still proud and supported me by attending certain TV and radio interviews related to the album,” explained Meyer.
Well-known accompanist, Susan Swanepoel (80), has known Coertse for 50 years.
She was first contacted by Coertse in 1973 to help her study for a role in La Traviata.
Since that first contact, Swanepoel has been her accompanist at various concerts and performances.
When the Black Tie Ensemble was brought to life, Coertse requested Swanepoel to be their accompanist.
Swanepoel fondly recalled Coertse’s influence and impact on young stars, but also the role the legend played in developing her career.
“She showed me how to work with other singers and I will forever be grateful for her teachings,” said Swanepoel.
She is still employed at 80 years of age by the University of Pretoria two days a week to help with the training of singers, has her own studio to teach piano and also coaches singers in the studio.
In the past few years, tribute concerts were held for Coertse which led to a special moment for Swanepoel.
“I will always recall how she would sit back and sing every note along with the songs that were presented. That will always be special to me,” said Swanepoel.
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