Founder of Sempre Opera, tenor Stéfan Louw explains that the idea to form a travelling opera troupe has been the topic of discussion between himself and a number of colleagues for some years now. In March 2011, they eventually came together and Sempre Opera was established.

“The idea of Sempre Opera is to create a platform for professional South African opera singers to build and expand repertoire,” Louw says. “And of course also to create our own work simply because there are too few opportunities in SA for all of us to appear on stage as often as we’d like to.”

To date, 12 opera singers born and bred in South Africa joined Sempre Opera, which is also a non-profit company with a registered Trust Fund. Sempre Opera’s members come from all walks of life. One of its members, Elizabeth Lombard, a mezzo-soprano, and also director for this upcoming production says: “There are teachers, business people, IT specialists, engineers, designers and even architects. When not cast as singers they fulfil other roles for the production such as production manager, stage manager, front of house manager and even stage hands and follow-spot operators.” Lombard holds a Masters Degree in Music from the University of the Free State and is the owner of a quality assurance and training company.

Other prominent opera singers who are official members of Sempre Opera include Otto Maidi (bass) and Thabang Senekal (baritone), the latter who will be seen and heard as Don Giovanni for this production.

What can the audience expect from Sempre Opera in Concert in Secunda? “Opera of exceptional artistic standard,” says Louw. “The first half will be arias, duets and ensembles (for those who are new to opera – arias, duets and ensembles could in layman’s terms be referred to as ‘songs’ by one, two and three or more people) and the second half will be a scene from Werther followed by a scene from Don Giovanni, all accompanied on piano by Eugene Joubert.”

“The scenes will be performed in costume, wigs and with a set whereas the first half will be performed in modern-day evening wear,” concludes Louw.

Sempre Opera in Concert will be showing for one night only at the Johannes Stegmann Theatre in Secunda on Saturday, 28 July at 20:00. Tickets are R120 for adults and R90 for children, students and pensioners. For bookings visit Computicket online or call 0861 915 8000.