New aria for talented local opera star
She did, however, believe that opera was increasing in popularity in South Africa and that the elitist stigma around it was slowly falling away.
From a village girl to an international opera star, Bizana’s Nozuko Teto has gone on to achieve great things.
Nozuko made her professional debut in 2011 in the title role of Suor Angelica (Cape Town Opera) and sang in various concerts at the Teatro Comunale L. Pavarotti, Modena with the Puccini Festival Orchestra, and in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw with the Rotterdam Symphony Orchestra.
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In 2016, she clinched the role of Mimì in La Bohème at the ‘Toti Dal Monte’ competition in Treviso and later toured Italy to great reviews.
From singing around the fireplace with seven of her siblings to forming gospel groups with her neighbors where they sang at funerals and school choirs, Nozuko said singing had always been a part of her life.
Once she discovered her love for opera there was no turning back.
“Valeke Dumela, my secondary and high school choir conductor would not take no for an answer; he walked the path with me through to university in 2003. He shared the potential he saw in me with the late KK Stofile, a medical doctor from Bizana and an adult choir conductor,” said Nozuko.
“They did all they could to expose the students who were gifted to as many opportunities as possible.”
While opera is embraced all over the world, in South Africa Nozuko has had very little exposure which ultimately led her to build her brand and pursue her passion overseas.
“The love for opera overseas is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It truly takes you places.”
She did, however, believe that opera was increasing in popularity in South Africa and that the elitist stigma around it was slowly falling away.
“I initially believed that there was absolutely no chance of earning a living through music performance in South Africa until I explored the entrepreneurial route and started seeing myself as a brand worth selling.”
According to Nozuko, her company, Adesso Enterprises (Pty) Ltd was a powerful business platform which looked to create opportunity not only for her but for those around her too.
“My purpose is to change lives through music, motivational talks and master classes.”
Believing that success was best enjoyed when shared with others, she looked to uplift, inspire and instill confidence in talented youngsters and will be working alongside some well-known local performers to scour impoverished areas in search of raw, untapped talent.
Nozuko’s team will soon be visiting areas such as Albert Park, Clermont and Lamontville in Durban looking for people aged between 14 and 25 years who possess raw singing and performing power.
“We want to provide them with a safe space where they feel empowered to perform. We want to refocus their efforts on something positive and provide them with a platform which could potentially propel their careers” she said.
In addition, she will be hosting an intimate gala concert in Durban on April 26. This interactive event will reintroduce opera fans and music aficionados to Nozuko Teto, and proceeds will go to the Opera Clinic. The venue is to be confirmed.
“We need to put together school packs for our performers as well as food packs for their training sessions. We urge any potential sponsors to please come forward and to help us give these students and opera in South Africa a voice again.”
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