A brand new Cape Town Opera production, African Passion will debut in Holland on the 1st of April with performances up until 20 April in Nieuwegijn, Utrecht, Maassluis, Breda, Haarlem, Lelystad, Rotterdam, Ijmuiden, Meppel, Gouda, Tiel, Waalwijk, Drachten, Enschede and Den Haag.

Cape Town Opera’s African Passion recount the story of the Passion of Christ, told through an eclectic mix of music stretching from Bach to Haydn, from gospel to Andrew Lloyd-Webber, from spirituals to African traditional. The music is linked by a narration, mixing biblical texts with more modern reflections. Sung by Cape Town Opera’s award-winning chorus, whose interpretation of this work is so honest and incredibly moving.
The programme go beyond the scope of a traditional Passion to celebrate the Resurrection: He is risen!
“In this context the word ‘Passion’ refers to both emotion, and the suffering of Jesus Christ. This feels appropriate in describing what I am intending to achieve which is an emotional, passionate telling of Christ’s last days through a selection of Classical, Gospel and South African music”, said Gina Smuckler, director of African Passion. The multi-talented Cape Town Opera chorus is accompanied by Maestro José Dias. Niall Griffin’s costume shows a different side of African style, incorporating different textures and more importantly using fabric which is handmade in Africa.

https://www.gpag.nl/artist/Cape_Town_opera_Chorus1

PHOTOGRAPHER – Marguerite Oelofse

Left to right – 1st group Busisiwe Ngejane; Babongile Manga, 2nd group Jodie Khan, Sakhiwe Mkosana, Mthunzi Mbombela