Christina McEwan
WHEN Alfred Legner, a German banker who settled in Darling in 2004, arrived, he not only loved the place, but saw an opportunity to bring scaled-down, but exciting opera to new audiences. What made it even more exciting was the fact that in doing so he could create new opportunities for more and more young singers and directors.
He is achieving both these dreams. His first opera alla breve, Don Giovanni by Mozart, was a triumph. Not only did it play to full houses in Darling in 2013, but it grew legs that took it to Outshoorn ( KKNK), Vredenburg, Greyton and London, to a cutting-edge theatre, the Tricycle.
What’s more, it is being performed at the Paul Cluver Amphitheatre on February 27. His next opera, The Abduction from the Serail, also by Mozart, will receive its premiere at the Darling Music Experience in February.
For Legner, it is as much about bringing opera to people who live outside of main cities and thus don’t have the opportunity to hear live excellent singing as it is about the young people.
And all the problems like money (he embraced crowd-funding this time) and illness (the young director fell ill and had to be replaced which put a stop to the pre-premiere of Abduction in Richard Cock’s Mostly Mozart festival in Joburg in January) he takes in his stride, calling himself a musical firefighter.
“The fact that Opera in Darling is strapped for money, however, sets free amazing energy, creativity and innovative drive to create great musical theatre off the beaten track,” he says. “Even so,” he says, “it is a challenge working with young singers who are in their formative years, but talent and enthusiasm go a long way to reduce inexperience!
“So far, we have had three directors for Don Giovanni and its re-stagings, a couple of Don Giovannis, a couple of Leporellos, and a couple of Donna Annas, all of whom have benefited by the experience. The original Donna Anna, Victoria Stevens, is now studying in Scotland and singing in Europe; the original Ottavio, Makudopanyane Senoana, will leave in April to study in Germany. Neil Moss, who directed the restaging in Oudtshoorn and Vredenburg, is now studying direction in Verona.”
So many of the singers, who are some of the best that UCT and its world-renowned opera school, which is under the direction of Kamal Khan, sing time and again with Legner.
“We are also delighted to welcome back several of our singers. Maudee Montierre, who is singing Donna Anna again in Elgin is also singing the role of Konstanze in Abduction, and Johannes Slabbert who has sung two roles in three versions of Giovanni plays the role of Pasha in the new opera.
Others in the cast are Leah Gunther Blondchen), Phelo Nodlayiya (Osmin) (who sang in Don Giovanni), Bongani Makhanya who sings Belmonte and Zwakele Tshabalala who sings Pedrillo.
The new opera is set in an exclusive gentleman’s club. It is being directed, in customary whacky fashion, by Raimondo van Staden, whose Giovanni productions were so hugely successful.
Van Staden is also singing the role of Leporello in Elgin. The Abduction script is by Alexander Kuchinka, an Austrian director and actor, and was translated for Opera in Darling by Jose Dias, who has adapted many South African settings and colloquialisms into the show.
“We are delighted to have Raimondo back as director,” says Legner. “ He is so innovative and exciting and I know with his wide opera experience as a singer and now director he will do a fantastic job. “
For Van Staden, who holds a performer’s diploma in opera and a post-graduate diploma in music from UCT, working with Legner, music director Lisa Engelbrecht and the young singers is thrilling.
“I am in love with opera. Beautiful singing and beautiful music gives me a lump in my throat – always! I have sung in many productions over the last few years, and in 2013, I sang two roles – Masetto and Commendatore – in D on Giovanni and then took over the role of director when the original director went overseas. It was my role to prepare a slightly different cast for the London production, and I took over Leporello, while others sang the roles I had before. It’s also a challenge working with a shortened opera, where we tell the whole story in an abridged version using minimal props and a set so everything is dependent on singing and acting. I have had to adapt the dialogue to suit the situation. I have worked with most of the singers before and they are all very talented and very dedicated. They are a great group and each will be great in their roles.”
He also enjoys an excellent relationship with Lisa Engelbrecht, having worked closely with her over the last five years. Legner calls them a dynamic team. He says he is also indebted to Engelbrecht.
“I met her when she was an accompanist in a recital in Darling about four years ago, and we immediately started talking. Lisa is one of South Africa’s most highly regarded vocal coaches and repetiteurs, and has been responsible in adding to the huge successes of many of the young singers who have been winning prizes abroad. For instance, she coached Siyabanda Ntlale in the Wagner Society’s comic Viva la Mamma– Siya went on to take second prize 2014 International Belvedere Singing Competition and has been singing in Germany since then.”
While the challenges have been many, the rewards are greater.
Says Legner: “We have proved that opera in a small provincial town is possible and that opera can reach new audiences; that the Darling Music Experience’s mission to be a platform for young SA artists works; and that working with these amazingly talented, passionate and bright young people gives me a new lease of life.”
What’s next? Feelers are out in Germany and America for the Don!
Performances of Der Entfuehrung aus dem Seralgio(Abduction from the Serail) are on Saturday, February 6 at 5pm and on Sunday, February 7 at 2pm at Evita se Perron.
l Book: Quicket, or Peter 022 492 2009, or darlingmusicexperience @dorpskoerant.co.za Info: darlingmusic.org/