UCT Opera has been awarded the rare and prestigious honour of performing the World Premiere Staging of Donizetti’s rediscovered opera ‘Dalinda’. For the first time in history, this early 19th-century work will be performed in full right here in Cape Town after the manuscript was recently carefully reconstructed. This is a landmark moment in the global opera community. We feature 5 interesting facts about the production.
1. Capetonians will see the first-ever, full-scale staging of the opera
At first, thought to be yet another version of Donizetti’s famous opera, ‘Lucrezia Borgia,’ (he often copied his own work), examination of the score showed that ‘Dalinda’ is an opera in its own right. As was common in 19th century Italy, however, both works faced repeated rejections by the censors in Naples, and in the process, the manuscript of ‘Dalinda’ was lost.
Although ‘Dalinda’ was given a concert presentation by the Berlin Operngruppe at the Konzerthaus in Berlin, Germany in May 2023, the Opera UCT production under the baton of its director Jeremy Silver marks the first full-scale performance and as such, is a significant milestone in the operatic world.
2. Eminent Opera UCT conductor, Jeremy Silver leads the charge
Jeremy Silver is globally recognised for conducting lesser-known Donizetti masterpieces and was selected by Ambra Sorrentino of Opera Co-Pro to bring the full masterpiece to life. He says, “We are incredibly excited and deeply grateful to have been selected to present the first full staging of Donizetti’s ‘Dalinda.’ This performance is not only an honour for us as an opera company but for the country too, and something we are hoping to share with opera lovers and newcomers alike who will appreciate the story, as much as the historic event.”
3. The story centres a powerful woman navigating religious conflict
‘Dalinda,’ which was censored at the time of its composition in Naples in 1838, is a deeply evocative exploration of human emotion and ‘truth’ – whether to tell and what to tell – and the consequences. Unusual for a 19th-century work, it also offers a remarkably detailed interplay between the characters. Exploring the religious tension between the private and public life of Dalinda, a mother and political leader, this opera is a timely story for now with lessons for all of us.
Silver remarks, “As artists we have never shied away from reality and the relevance of opera, even in a modern world, and its ability to tell the human story in a way that is non-threatening to the audience yet allows the storyteller to explore sometimes very hidden prejudices and emotions in a legitimate fashion”.
4. South Africa’s next-gen opera stars in the show
Bringing the rediscovered score to life, this production features a cast of talented singers including Molly Dzangare, Luvo Maranti and Violina Anguelov, along with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) in session.
The production is led by Italian director William Costabile Cisco with Bulgarian costume designer Leticia Parvoleta Ivanova looking after costuming and Cape Town’s veteran set designer Michael Mitchell setting the stage.
5. Free entrance for all under 18s!
In looking to share this impressive work with a broader audience, Opera UCT has also made the decision to offer free seating to all under 18s. Silver and his team hope that this special offer will also encourage a following and appreciation for opera itself with a younger demographic.
Cost: R100pp – R500pp. FREE for under-18s. Book via Webtickets or the Baxter Theatre Box Office at 0216857880
When: Running from 4 to 8 September. Various times
Where: The Baxter Theatre, Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Website: humanities.uct.ac.za
Email: operauct@uct.ac.za
Tel: 021 650 2621
Facebook: @OperaUCT
Instagram: @operauct
