Sometimes, forgiveness is a radical act
JOBURG – In an innovative new production, Lamento, music written almost four centuries ago about forgiving the crimes committed in the past, becomes burningly relevant.
Umculo, in association with the Market Theatre and the Windybrow Theatre, proudly present Lamento, created by German-based South African tenor and director, Kobie van Rensburg.
The show will be at the Market Theatre in Newtown from 3 to 6 November. The music, by Claudio Monteverdi, merges with contemporary multi-media presentations in a production that brings together singers, instrumentalists, lighting, video, computer animation and blue-screen to tell a story that is passionate and political.
Images and narratives from South Africa’s past and present, inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), form the core of Lamento.
Animated projected texts in English, Zulu and Afrikaans come alive and move through the sets, along with the singers.
This will be the first time blue-screen technology has been used in a music theatre performance in South Africa and it is also the first time that some of Monteverdi’s music, including the 1624 Battle of Tancredi and Clorinda, has ever been performed in this country.
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Monteverdi’s work talke about love and hatred, violence and forgiveness; it was also biting political satire. Van Rensburg adroitly brings 17th Century Italy and recent South Africa history into the here and now with a bold new work that is dark, funny, provocative and profound.
“Kobie’s work as a director has been winning awards and filling houses in Europe,” said Shirley Apthorp, director of Umculo.
Five of South Africa’s most promising young classical singers, sopranos Elsabé Richter and Nombuso Ndlandla, tenor Nick de Jager and bass Ronald Paseka, with Bongani Mthombeni and Sibusiso Simelane alternating in the role of high tenor, will take the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions in search of truth and reconciliation in seven scenes where the TRC hearings are addressed through the medium of opera.
“In fact,” Apthorp explained, “To call it opera is a bit misleading. This is something new, made with gut-wrenchingly gorgeous music, to talk about things that matter today,” he said.
Explore hatred, political unrest, violence, love and forgiveness from 3 to 6 November at the Market Theatre.
Details: Computicket 0861 915 8000; Anthony Ezeoke for block bookings 011 025 0377/072 413 9247; Ncebakazi Thintsila 079 946 3071.
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