Verdi’s La Traviata heralds the Amazwi Omzansi Africa Singing Competition 2015. It’s all systems go for this year’s much-anticipated competition, spearheaded as previously by the British-based, South African-born baritone, Njabulo Madlala, which takes place this month in Durban.A concert performance of highlights from Verdi’s La Traviata, starring acclaimed American-based, Durban-born soprano, Bronwen Forbay, is to be staged on August 13 as a prelude to the competition itself. The semi- finals and finals runs two days later. All three events take place at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College Theatre.

Multi-award-winning Madlala is intent on bringing his considerable expertise and international clout to bear in creating a springboard for new operatic talent to shine; seeking out potential stars among the wealth of gifted young South African singers who are waiting to make careers for themselves.

“Auditions have been held and I have chosen a group of 35 young singers from across South Africa,” says Madlala, winner of Britain’s Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Prize, and the Standard Bank Young Artists Award for Opera.

“The contestants will arrive in Durban on August 6, to participate in a week of masterclasses and workshops, before taking part in the 2015 Amazwi Omzansi Africa Competition. The semi-finals take place on August 15 and the finals are on August 16. The competition will be held at Howard College Theatre at UKZN.”

The concert takes place at UKZN’s Howard College Theatre on August 13, starting at 7.30 pm. Ticketsare R100 and R150 (students and pensioners R80).

Bronwen Forbay

Njabulo Madlala