Could it be time to try out an opera?

Cape Town - We know you guys don’t like opera. In fact, in a recent #Trending survey, only 2% of readers asked said they were interested in opera (the lowest topic in terms of interest, along with classical music and dance).

But what if it got a revamp?

Produced by opera development project Umculo, Lamento, is a new production by Germany-based South African tenor and director Kobie van Rensburg that merges music with a contemporary multimedia presentation. It brings together singers, instrumentalists, lighting, video, computer animation and blue-screen technology to “tell a story that is passionate and political.”

“In fact,” says Umculo’s Shirley Apthorp, “to call it opera is a bit misleading. This is something new, made with gut-wrenchingly gorgeous music, that talks about things that matter today.”

The work makes use of images and narratives from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to tackle the question: What drives us to hate and hurt each other? Five of South Africa’s most promising young classical singers, including Elsabé Richter, Nombuso Ndlandla, Nick de Jager, Ronald Paseka, Bongani Mthombeni and Sibusiso Simelane star in this wonderful production.

Animated projected texts in English, isiZulu and Afrikaans will move through the sets along with the singers. If you watch one opera in your lifetime, make this it.

Ticket information about Lamento:

Venue: The Market Theatre, Newtown
2-6 November  
Tickets R95 at computicket.com