Cape Town Opera Company

Cape Town Opera

Introduction

Celebrating 25 years in 2024, Cape Town Opera is South Africa's premier full-time opera company, recognized for its commitment to excellence and cultural heritage. As the continent's only continuously active opera company, it offers a vibrant repertoire of operas, musicals, and community outreach programs. Through initiatives like the National Schools Tour and the Judith Neilson Young Artist Programme, Cape Town Opera nurtures local talent while captivating international audiences with acclaimed performances such as "Porgy and Bess", "Showboat" and "Mandela Trilogy".

Since their collaboration began in 2009 with a UK tour of "Porgy and Bess," Askonas Holt and Cape Town Opera have strengthened their partnership through tours across Asia, Europe, and South America.

In 2024, they will again join forces for a new production of "Porgy and Bess," directed by Noa Naamat and conducted by Kazem Abdullah, co-produced with the Cape Town Opera, Beijing Music Festival and KT Wong Foundation. This tour marks the premiere of "Porgy and Bess" in China, making it Cape Town Opera's first performance in the country.

Through dynamic global collaborations and a robust touring schedule, Cape Town Opera not only preserves the art form but also highlights South Africa's rich musical legacy through its operas and chorus concerts.

Contact

Rebecca Moore

Rebecca Moore

Assistant Project Manager

Connect

Tours

  • Oct 2024 - Oct 2024
    Asia

    Kazem Abdullah (conductor) Noa Naamat (director) Cape Town Opera & Cape Town Opera Chorus Porgy and Bess, Gershwin Shanghai Symphony Hall, Shanghai | Beijing Music Festival, Beijing

  • Nov 2017
    Asia

    Tim Murray (conductor) Michael Williams (director) Cape Town Opera & Cape Town Opera Chorus Mandela Trilogy Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong

  • Dec 2016
    South America

    Tim Murray (conductor) Christine Crouse (director) Cape Town Opera & Cape Town Opera Chorus Porgy and Bess, Gershwin Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires

  • Sep 2012
    Australasia

    Sebastian Lang-Lessing (conductor) [Programme 1 and 2] Albert Horne (conductor) [Programme 3] Cape Town Opera and Cape Town Opera Chorus Programme 1: Excerpts from La Forza del Destino, Macbeth, Don Carlo, Nabucco, Otello, Aida [Verdi] & Porgy and Bess Concert Suite for Baritone, Soprano and Chorus [Bennett] Programme 2: Excerpts from Le Nozze di Figaro Overture and Il barbiere di Siviglia [Mozart] Programme 3: African Sanctus, Fanshawe, Concert Version of Mandela Trilogy Stephenson, Campbell, Van Dijk Hamer Hall, Melbourne

  • Oct 2009
    United Kingdom

    David Charles Abell (conductor) Cape Town Opera and Cape Town Opera Chorus Porgy and Bess, Gershwin Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff | South Bank Centre, London | Festival City Theatres, Edinburgh

Photos

Press

  • Porgy and Bess

    Beijing Music Festival
    Oct 2024 - Oct 2024

    • The actors from the Cape Town Opera House in South Africa gave full play to the advantages of voice, dance, vocal skills and performance, whether they were in the spotlight or not, they spared no effort to present a wonderful performance for everyone. The changing light and shadow, the rich stage design, and the creative blend of music and dance all make the artistry of this semi-stage version stand out, allowing the audience to feel the themes conveyed in the work.