This opera singer has her eyes set on Germany

Frances Muir grew up surrounded by music.

The aspirant opera singer, who hails from Ballito, has had a lifelong love affair with music.

But the move to professional singing came later in life.

Her initial passion was sport and after matriculating from Crawford College North Coast in 2012 she registered for a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Pretoria with the intention of pursuing a career in veterinary science.

She did an about turn halfway through her studies and switched to a Bachelor of Music.

She has not looked back.

“This profession takes a really long time to break into. You have to have a strong sense of self. If you do not know who you are, you do not succeed. Voice is so subjective when it comes to singing,” said Frances.

Learning music requires a lot of time and commitment, especially opera and in a global music landscape, the challenges are immense.

“Hard work is critical to becoming an opera singer. Linguistic intelligence is a sometimes overlooked aspect of mastering operatic singing. Opera requires the vocalist to sing in several different languages,” said Frances who has learnt to sing in German, French, English, Italian and Spanish.

In 2018 Frances was invited to attend the acclaimed Taos Opera Institute’s six-week summer programme.

Based in America the opera institute offers the selected students daily instruction from voice teachers and coaches with international experience.

This year she was accepted into Berlin Opera Academy’s professional training program.

The premiere European opera training programme, in the most operatically important city in the world, provides practical professional instruction to emerging artists.

Singers get an opportunity to perform a role in a fully-staged opera under the guidance of world-class tutors. Frances debuted her first opera role in The Magic Flute and The Crucible.

Coming from a country with little operatic tradition and no fundamental infrastructure, the striking unpretentious talent describes the experience as life-changing.

“You have to compete with singers coming from countries with a huge tradition in music, receiving the best operatic tuition from a very young age and gaining experience in the opera houses of their own countries before auditioning for bigger houses. We have none of this in South Africa. You have to build and fund your career.”

What advice could she offer someone who is just beginning their academic or professional career in opera?

“Learning music requires lots of time and commitment, especially opera. If you know more now, everything will come easier later. So, learn and study. Spend time on what you love. Invest in your future and your dream. Find a great teacher to work with on a weekly basis. Get a vocal coach that can help polish your repertoire. That might mean moving to a city away from home.”

After the holidays Frances plans to head back to her home base in Pretoria to complete her masters degree and continue working on her opera career.

As for her future aspirations, Frances has set her sights on singing in Germany.

“Almost everybody who’s had a great career has started in Germany or Austria. International opera singers come from all corners of the world seeking steady work and even full-time employment,” said Frances.

Listening to Frances lyric soprano and taking in her graceful presence during a recent solo performance with the Durban Symphonic orchestra, there is little doubt the aspiring singer, whose sight is set on the international stage, will fulfill her dreams.

After all talent and tenacity form a powerful combination.

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