Opera royalty from around the world are gracing Cape Town as the City plays host to the Operalia—AKA, ‘The World Cup of Opera’. This is the first time an African City has ever hosted the renowned event!
Cape Town, South Africa (02 November 2023) — Cape Town has earned its role as the first-ever African host city for yet another world-appreciated event, following the Netball World Cup and the E-Prix earlier this year. This time in the world of arts and culture, the Mother City is currently hosting Placido Domingo’s Operalia—AKA the ‘World Cup of Opera’.
The renowned opera competition now in its 30th year, has seen talents from all over the world belt out their best on a pursuit to win what’s known as the world’s foremost opera competition.
Just yesterday, the semi-finals took place at the Artscape Theatre where the Operalia jury chose only 12 singers to move through to the final round, pencilled for Sunday evening. Operalia began with 34 different artists from 15 countries selected from over 800 entrants.
Among the talents chosen for the Opera World Cup finals are two South Africans—Nombulelo Yende (soprano) and Siphokazi Molteno (mezzo-soprano who made the finals for the Zarzuela competition).
Other finalists hail from Russia, Armenia, France, the USA and South Korea among others, and how wonderful that South Africa will unite all their voices, vocal ranges, and gifts of song.
All the finalists will join Maestro Placido Domingo for a performance, conducting the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
And, prize money to the tune of $ 200,000 (over R3.6 million) is up for grabs for the Opera World Cup title holder.
Cape Town’s place as host is another notch on the City’s belt in uniting passion and prestige on African soil as it joins the world’s cultural capitals like London, Paris, Madrid, Hamburg, Tokyo and Milan who have all put opera on the map.
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