For Nolubabalo Sylvia Mdayi, the best part of being at Cape Town Opera is the opportunity to explore all aspects of music and production. She values the chance to express herself through music, and to share her opinions on the pieces being performed. A fan of widely varied composers, she finds it difficult to name her favourites but does mention Mozart, Verdi and Puccini among those she rates most highly. It was while she was a member of her high school choir that she first discovered opera, so it’s perhaps no surprise that when she looks to the future she sees herself helping other young singers to get their start. “What I want to achieve in my career is to be an inspiration,” she says, explaining that she hopes she can provide guidance, “to the young ones who are still looking to have a career in opera.”