Gauteng Opera moves to CBD

Gauteng Opera is an established opera company that was founded in 1999, and then it was known as The Black Tie Ensemble.

The organisation was renamed in 2013 to aptly describe what it was all about.

“We felt that The Black Tie Ensemble isn’t very descriptive of what we do,” explained Gauteng Opera’s CEO, Arnold Cloete.

“We, at the moment, could possibly be the leading opera company in Gauteng, and I think from the type of professional theatre and full-blown productions that we do, we are [better suited to be called] Gauteng Opera.”

The company which was founded in the apartment of one of the founding members, moved in 2001 to the newly-reopened State Theatre in Pretoria.

Late last year, Gauteng Opera decided that the relocation of the company was necessary after recognising a decline in the demand and sponsorship of opera in Pretoria. Also the majority of the board members and sponsors were based in Joburg. The organisation is now based on the corner of Anderson and Miriam Makeba streets in the CBD.

Gauteng Opera’s La Traviata held at Wits was a packed-to-capacity show that perfectly displayed the rich and cultural diversity in the city.

While Gauteng Opera has made the huge jump between two major cities in Gauteng – and are still adjusting to it – they have not halted any of their future plans to open programmes for the youth to be introduced to their rich, yet under-appreciated opera culture.

“We would love to do at least two opera seasons a year, and even – as in the old days – have six opera seasons each year that are sold out before we even open the bookings,” said Cloete.

“More importantly is to reopen the incubators academy that we previously had that allowed financially disadvantaged students who are passionate about music to come here and learn all about it.”

Details: www.gautengopera.org