Cavalleria Rusticana opera live at Carnival City
The cast will be joined by the Ijadu Chorus, which is prepared by Thami Zungu, a graduate of The Juilliard School in New York, USA.
Carnival City’s Mardi Gras Theatre will host its first operatic production (concert version) of one of the most famous operas in the world, Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, on June 3.
Directed by Bongani Vilakazi, this production will feature Loveline Madumo as Santuzza, Linette van der Merve as Lola, Lethokuhle Skosana as Turridu, Sbani Mwelase as Alfio and Tracey Lee Booyens as Mmama Lucia.
Booyens (24), from Boksburg, said the journey to prepare for the show was wonderful.
“I have enjoyed listening to all the music of the opera. The process of engaging with the storyline and the libretto has been truly wonderful,” she said.
She said that, as a young girl, she decided to enter a singing competition.
“This journey led me to my first music teacher, who sparked my interest in opera. Her passion led me to love the genre,” she added.
One of the highlights of Booyens’ career was singing in the Opera Gala concert (The Aldrich Ensemble) in 2020.
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She sang alongside coloratura sopranos Anina Wasserman and Linelle Wimbles-Engelbrecht, soprano Sonica Rickson, tenor Chris Mostert, and baritone and CEO of the Aldrich Ensemble, Andries Aldrich.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a full opera in South Africa with big names such as Loveline Madumo, Linette van der Merwe and more,” she said.
The cast will be joined by the Ijadu Chorus, which is prepared by Thami Zungu, a graduate of The Juilliard School in New York, USA.
