Gauteng audiences will have a unique opportunity to enjoy a concert with four of South Africa’s most acclaimed voices at the University of Johannesburg’s Arts Centre on Sunday, October 25.

To celebrate the month of Italian language and culture abroad, The Italian Institute of Culture in collaboration with UJ Arts & Culture (a division of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture) and Christopher Duigan’s Music Revival present a gala opera performance to remember at UJ Arts Centre on the University of Johannesburg’s Kingsway Campus starting at 4 pm. Entrance is free.

The programme, titled LA MUSICA DELL’ITALIANO, includes a feast of Italian operatic highlights, duets and ensembles from La Boheme, Barber of Seville, La Traviata and other operas, plus music by Leonvavllo, Puccini, Mozart and Verdi.

The finale will see the featured four soloists on stage together with members of the famed UJ Choir in Verdi’s anthem Va, pensiero or Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco.

Featured in this gala event are Cape Town-based soloists Beverly Chiat (soprano) and Violina Anguelov (mezzo-soprano).  Both graduates of UCT Opera School, Chiat and Angeulov have maintained busy careers on major opera stages and as sought-after oratorio soloists with major orchestras nationally.

They have also worked together as a duo in an extensive line-up of informal events resulting in a infectious and easy stage chemistry.

Standard Bank Young Artist for Music 2014, baritone, Njabulo Madlala, who is now based in  London, joins them on stage, as does fellow baritone  Federico Freschi, Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture at the University of Johannesburg.  Freschi maintains a unique double career as concert artist and Dean of the Faculty.

The singers are supported and accompanied by acclaimed musical director and pianist Christopher Duigan.

LA MUSICA DELL’ITALIANO,  featuring a popular selection of classic melodies and operatic passion and drama, takes place at the UJ Theatre, Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park  on Sunday, October 25 at 4 pm. Admission is free but booking is essential. To reserve your seats contact Precious Maputle via email at precious@uj.ac.za or phone 011 559 3058.