Lovers of music, theatre and emerging talent, take note! The much-anticipated 4th Aviva Pelham Operetta Competition will take centre stage on Monday, 4 August at 7pm at the Baxter Theatre – promising a dazzling evening of charm, sparkle, and musical brilliance.
Established in 2022 by South Africa’s beloved operatic doyenne, Aviva Pelham, the competition celebrates the often-overlooked genre of operetta – playful, poignant and rich in dramatic potential – while offering a springboard for Africa’s rising vocal stars.
“This competition is about joy,” says Pelham. “It introduces young singers to a repertoire that is wonderfully entertaining and technically demanding. We want to ensure that this music continues to live and inspire – and that our singers are equipped to carry it to stages across the world.”
Hosted in collaboration with Opera UCT and its visionary director, Professor Jeremy Silver, the competition is more than a showcase. It is an opportunity for audiences to witness the future of classical music in Africa – and for performers to grow into the next generation of global ambassadors for the artform.
“Operetta stretches a singer’s artistic range – vocally, musically and theatrically,” says Silver. “Through this competition, we are nurturing young artists who understand not only the technique but the joy and storytelling of this repertoire.”
Finalists will perform solo arias and duet pieces drawn from the Viennese, French and Spanish Zarzuela operetta traditions, with themes that range from comedic satire to romantic whimsy.
The competition is judged live on the night, with winners announced in the following categories:
- Aria Prizes: First – R10 000 | Second – R6 000 | Third – R3 000
- Duet Prize: R10 000 (shared by duet partners)
- Audience Prize: R1 000 (voted live by audience).
Importantly, the competition not only nurtures the next generation of operatic talent but also highlights Opera UCT’s commitment to broadening access to high-quality musical training and performance opportunities. Through initiatives like this, Opera UCT continues to champion artistic excellence and cultural vitality in South Africa.
This year’s competition has an added bonus for audiences too, as it also offers a sneak preview of what’s to come later in the year, when Opera UCT stages one of the genre’s most famous and frothy masterpieces – Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss – in celebration of the composer’s 200th birthday and, as it happens, World Opera Day.
Don’t miss this chance to cheer on Africa’s operatic future and fall in love with the lighter side of classical music.
Tickets available from Webtickets or the Baxter Theatre Box Office from R90 – R120 per person.
Students and scholars enter for free.