Porgy and Bess Cape Town

29 September, 4, 6 October 2012

Cape Town Opera presents

The Gershwins’

Porgy and Bess

“One of these mornin’s you goin’ to rise up singin’, then you’ll spread yo’ wings an’ you’ll take the sky’

CTO’s smash-hit production of Porgy and Bess, a massive popular and critical success in the UK, comes to Cape Town.

Unveiled in 2009, the production had British critics reaching for superlatives, praising the company’s “fierce energy” (The Telegraph), “collective fervour” (The Independent), “the magnificence of the soloists” (The Spectator) and the “vivacious staging” (The Times).
 

While the highlights of this American folk opera by George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward (including the songs ‘Summertime’, ‘Bess, you is my woman now’ and ‘It ain’t necessarily so’) have been embraced by singers from many genres since the piece was first heard in 1935, it took some time (along with countless revisions and adaptations) before the piece took its rightful place in the international operatic canon. Christine Crouse’s passionate, vibrant and highly detailed staging, set in Soweto in the 1970s, sheds an entirely new light on the piece, against Michael Mitchell’s haunting set of ramshackle buildings, abandoned billboards and fences cutting into a brooding sky.

“full of singing of a juicily robust, old-fashioned kind that buttoned-up white folks no longer seem able to produce … Porgy is an opera that showcases the chorus, and Cape Town’s is quite magnificent … The spirituals towards the opera’s end set my spine tingling … The soloists were no less excellent … Gershwin’s score is a feast, and Cape Town Opera serves it up proud.” TELEGRAPH ****

“Christine Crouse’s newly sharpened production has real clout … A fierce energy pulsates through the company”
GUARDIAN ****

“Gershwin’s finest score came across with enormous impact … What also came across, more excitingly still, was the magnificence of the soloists … a great evening all round”
THE SPECTATOR

“the aspiring spirit of community runs deep in the piece and the company doesn’t just recognise but live it. There really is no substitute for the kind of collective fervour they bring”
THE INDEPENDENT

“The only full-time opera company in Africa, Cape Town Opera, has never before toured to the UK. On the strength of its glorious Gershwin it should be invited back – soon and often … Christine Crouse’s vivacious staging is everything one had expected and hoped for … the loose-limbed spirit of African dance is never far away … you’d need a heart of concrete not come out smiling”
THE TIMES ****

“Cape Town Opera’s first visit to the UK has caused waves … Just as the Mariinksy Opera became a cradle for young singers after the fall of the Iron Curtain, so it is possible to imagine Cape Town as the next stop on the operatic talent spotter’s itinerary”
FINANCIAL TIMES ***

“the 40-strong cast has a vibrancy that demands our attention to the last note”
THE SCOTSMAN ****

“it is hard to imagine a more stirring production than … Cape Town Opera’s Porgy and Bess”
BIG ISSUE ****

“The company certainly brought extraordinary energy and spirit to the piece …a fully integrated ensemble … working together joyously”
MUSICALAMERICA.COM

“The acting of the whole company is near faultless … a remarkable ensemble piece, the bright cloud of joy of the whole company gently embracing us all … I’m sure there will be many people delighted to see them come back again”
THEATRE IN WALES

“The chorus is magnificent and the direction is exceptional … No quibbles then for this unmissable production”
MUSICWEB

“The capacity audience was cheering to the rafters on Friday night as the stars of Cape Town Opera’s sparkling, vibrant production of Porgy and Bess returned for curtain call after curtain call. This was a production which had everything going for it thanks to a large company of stunning singers who took the Gershwins’ memorable music and made it their own – but who were also great all-round performers … The production delivered with such passion and verve that those who were there will be whistling the tunes for weeks to come.”
EDINBURGH EVENINGS NEWS

Conductors                  Albert Horne, Tim Murray
Director                        Christine Crouse
Designer                       Michael Mitchell
Lighting Design           Kobus Rossouw
Choreographer            Sbo Ndaba
Assistant Director        Roy Hunter
Head of Wardrobe        Maritha Visage
Rehearsal Pianist / Surtitles        Este Visser
Production Managers    Hailey Kingston + Chris Spogter
Stage Managers              Kim Gunning + Carynn Wolff
ASMs                               Donovan Kleinhans + Gaby Demarais
Chorus Master               Albert Horne
Orchestra                       Cape Philharmonic Orchestra
Set/Costume designer    Michael Mitchell

CAST:

Porgy                   Xolela Sixaba,
Bess                     Nonhlanhla Yende
Crown                  Mandisinde Mbuyazwe
Clara                    Philisa Sibeko, Siphamandla Yakupa
Serena                  Arline Jaftha
Sportin’ Life         Tshepo Moagi
Maria                   Miranda Tini
Robbins                Mthunzi Mbombela  
Undertaker           Nkosana Sitimela
Jake                     Owen Metsileng
Jim                       Lindile Kula Sr, Thato Machona  
Mingo                  Lusindiso Dubula, Lukhanyo Moyake
Peter                   Andile Tshoni  
Lilly                     Jacqueline Manciya
Strawberry Woman     Siphamandla Yakupa, Ernestine Stuurman
Crab Man            Vuyisile Hlaka  
Frazier                Nkosana Sitimela, Monde Masimini
Nelson                 Lukhanyo Moyake  
Archdale & Coroner    Ralph Lawson
Detective             Glenn Swart
Policemen           Neil Roux
Dancers               Luthando Tsodo
Trumpeter            Mandla Mhlangeni

Concessions:

Pensioners & students: 50% discount on the day of the show with ID at the venue

Block bookings: 10% discount for groups of 8 or more

Schools (ages 5 to 21): 50% discount on the day of the show with ID

Cast subject to change without prior notification

Patrons are kindly reminded to switch off their cellular telephones during performances

The use of cameras or recording equipment is not allowed during the performance

Please note casting and dates are subject to change without prior notice